Neil Gaiman, Bram Stoker, Patricia A. McKillip, Harry Harrison, Edgar Allan Poe…in its two years of existence, this blog is littered with comments about said authors. These are the authors whose works I tend to devour and who frequently find their way on to my re-read list. Although I have read a number of astounding books by other authors in my lifetime, it is these 5 particularly whose novels are significant signposts marking memorable points along my reading journey. I believe I am ready to annoint John Scalzi as a member of this pantheon of my literary heroes.

The later half of this past year saw my discovery of John Scalzi through the wonder of, you guessed it, book blogs. I have already mentioned how much I was impressed by his work in the Heinlein-esque novels Old Man’s War and The Ghost Brigades. The annual reawakening of the science fiction gene coupled with how much I enjoyed his last two novels pushed me out the door around noon on January 1st to pick up a copy of The Android’s Dream.

The Android’s Dream is a bit of a departure from Scalzi’s military science fiction tales. The book cover and description give the impression that this book is more of a farcical offering. How can any book that begins “Dirk Moeller didn’t know if he could fart his way into a major diplomatic incident. But he was ready to find out.” not be a comedy? The humor in the book, particularly in the beginning, is reminiscent of the work of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett in Good Omens. Language filled with wit and satire dominate the introductory chapters of The Android’s Dream. As events begin to unfold and the reader is introduced to the plethora of characters who will play a role in this story, an undercurrent of seriousness begins to emerge. The story, while retaining its humor, evolves into so much more.

The Android’s Dream is the story of Earth set in an unspecified time in our planet’s future. Earth is a fledgling member of the Common Confederation, a group made up of 617 sentient species scattered throughout the universe. Not having the military might to belong to the CC on our own, we are sponsored by the Nidu, a race of petty, violent aliens whose treaties with Earth’s governments are tenous at best. As tensions between these two races increase, our government is called upon to provide a sacrificial lamb as part of the coronation ceremony for the Nidu’s next hierarchical leader. This is not just any sheep, but the rare breed Android’s Dream. Simple, right? Unfortunately there are a number of Nidu clans and Earth politicians who would like nothing more than to shift the balance of power. As sheep begin to mysteriously die, multiple groups begin mounting covert missions to find and procure the last remaining sheep of the Android’s Dream line and the Earth finds itself rapidly approaching a deadline that will mark its ultimate demise.

As I have mentioned, early on The Android’s Dream is awash with satirical humor. Soon after the major players are introduced, however, it becomes more of a caper novel that takes place in a science fiction setting. John Scalzi mixes political intrigue, espionage, deception, sleight of hand, action, and romance with the comedic elements to produce a sprawling, page turning whirlwind of an adventure. Make no mistake, despite the humorous underpinnings this is not Men in Black. If anything this is Men in Black done right. The Android’s Dream is peopled with characters who mean business and will do anything to get their hands on the lost sheep. Like any good caper tale it is initially difficult to tell just who the protanonist is going to be. Scalzi introduces so many intriguing characters that even after the reader determines who the hero of the tale is there are doubts, or at the very least secondary heroes emerge.

I went into The Android’s Dream expecting to read a very funny story that would be a bit of a diversion whilst waiting for the next book in Scalzi’s military science fiction trilogy. Instead of a fluffy diversion I found a work technically more advanced than his previous novels and one that is satisfying on so many levels. Though every character populating a novel of this kind cannot be fleshed out beyond a stereotypical role, there are a number of characters who achieve a depth that draws the you into their plight and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, rooting for their success.

If you like political satire with your mystery, romance with your action, and suspense with your science fiction then The Android’s Dream is the book for you. John Scalzi has had three first-rate novels published in the last year, a feat not lost on this reader. I frequently find myself waiting impatiently for an author’s next book and in John Scalzi I have the hope of a more regular output. Even if he slows down, however, I anticipate that the novels that I have already grown to love will keep me company for many years to come.

As readers I think we are always on the lookout for authors whose books tie into the fabric of what made us love books in the first place. I know that I am. John Scalzi is one of those authors whose work is a part of that thread that goes all the way back to my first discovery of science fiction. This is a fantastic book from an amazing author. I look forward to many more journeys.