Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky
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Alright, SFcrowsnest readers, prepare yourselves for a barking mad ride through Adrian Tchaikovsky's canine-infused sci-fi odyssey, "Dogs of War". Fetch your reading glasses, because this is one book you're not going to want to put down.
"Dogs of War" is a story that might make you think twice about swatting that mosquito on your arm or shooing away the cat on your keyboard. Set in a near future where bio-engineered animals called "bioforms" serve as weapons of war, the narrative centers around Rex – a seven-foot-tall dog who wouldn't look out of place in a cybernetically enhanced version of "Lassie". Only in this version, Lassie is in charge of a small squadron of animalistic bioforms and can demolish a building with a wag of his tail.
Alongside Rex, we meet a merry band of critters, including a bear who's also an artillery platform, a snake with hacking skills, and a giant honeybee who serves as the group's aerial reconnaissance. If Disney ever decided to do a sci-fi reboot of "The Jungle Book", this would be it.
The plot takes us on a roller-coaster ride of action, introspection, and more ethical dilemmas than a philosophy symposium. With Tchaikovsky at the helm, the story navigates the stormy waters of morality and artificial intelligence, and it does so with the grace of a bio-engineered swan gliding across a dystopian pond.
One of the most delightful aspects of "Dogs of War" is how Tchaikovsky manages to make us empathize with the bioforms. These characters are simultaneously terrifying in their power and heartbreakingly vulnerable in their quest for identity and autonomy. Rex, with his unwavering loyalty and simple, dog-like view of the world, makes for an endearing if unlikely hero. You'll find yourself cheering for him, even as he's reducing enemy fortifications to rubble.
Tchaikovsky's prose is as sharp as Rex's cybernetic teeth, and just as effective at drawing blood. There's a rhythm to the writing, a heartbeat that pulses through every sentence and keeps you turning the pages. The book may be called "Dogs of War", but it purrs along like a well-oiled machine.
In conclusion, "Dogs of War" offers a unique blend of action, pathos, and anthropomorphic adventures that's bound to captivate any science fiction enthusiast. So hunker down with your favorite bio-engineered pet, SFcrowsnest fans, and delve into a world where man's best friend might just be humanity's last hope. And remember: In this book, every dog indeed has its day.