james_davis_nicoll: (Default)
james_davis_nicoll ([personal profile] james_davis_nicoll) wrote2011-01-23 06:52 am

Hrm

Mullin Shetland seems unenthusiastic about the glories of war.

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2011-01-23 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
Let us know if you understand the ending. I had to look it up online and I still don't.

(Anonymous) 2011-01-23 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I've seen quite a few "can't understand the ending" complaints about LE, and I, well, can't understand the complaints. It's a pretty old and well-worn trope; the same twist has been used in any number of SF novels. I saw it coming well in advance (about 1/4 of the way through the series, if I remember right) -- and I bet James will guess it even sooner, if he hasn't already.

Seriously, what's not to understand?

-- Ross Smith

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2011-01-23 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Well - what WAS the trope? I honestly got to the end, and had no idea what had happened.

[identity profile] jeriendhal.livejournal.com 2011-01-23 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
Just a little bit, yes.

(Anonymous) 2011-01-23 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
guess who context is for?

... Hmm. Figuring this one out, is probably going to take me all week.

TSM_in_Toronto

[identity profile] roseembolism.livejournal.com 2011-01-24 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
I've seen a lot of complaints about Last Exile, based on the use of riflemen in rows. However, those who complain that the battles in Last Exile don't make any sense are completely correct, and also missing the point. The battles are completely show battles, limited to specific tactics at the behest of a higher authority. Really, it's more like jousting with airships than warfare.

It's worth pointing out that realistic tactics can be used in aerial warfare and are very effective, even though they are decried as unchivalrous.