John Scalzi tickles that sweet nostalgic spot for me that yearns for the fun and adventure of science fiction when I was in junior high school. His novels are a wonderful 21st century version of Heinlein's juvenile sf romps, and I've found something else--Scalzi is great for pulling me out of a reading rut.

From the moment I began The Last Colony I was happy and content. The story of John Perry and Jane Sagan beginning a new human colony perfectly straddled that fine line between surprise and predictability. There troubles beginning that colony are typical of many sf novels, but Scalzi does just enough to make it feel fresh.

Sure, Sclazi's characterization is sometimes a bit bland, and his aliens often don't seem much different than humans, but it's never something that bothers me too much when reading his novels. His main characters are typically well written. I feel I have gotten to know John, Jane, and Zoe fairly well in the last three books. But characterization is not necessarily the point. Sclazi's stories are all about the adventure and wonder of the future, and he pulls that off with ease.

Could I read nothing but a steady diet of similar books? No way. But when I feel like curling up in a comfy chair and reading for hours on end, Scalzi works admirably.