Review: Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky

I'm a sucker for a science fiction story that makes me feel something—where I can get beyond the technical aspects of the novel and immerse myself into the world and the characters.

Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of those stories. Set in a future where bioforms, hybrids of humans and animals, have grown to dominate the battlefield. It follows Rex, a dog bioform who is the most advanced of his kind as he comes to terms with his place in a rapidly changing world alongside his squadmates, Honey a bear, Dragon a lizard, and Bees, uh bees.

Rex is a deeply flawed character and his struggles with his identity are core to the novel. Tchaikovsky has mastered perspective here. Whenever we see things from Rex’s perspective, it really feels like we're in Rex’s head and his struggles with finding himself elicit strong emotions. Showing characteristics of an abused child, Rex is torn between his friends and fellow squad mates and his master, who has been his guiding force ever since he can remember. Tchaikovsky writes with clarity and purpose and Rex’s inner battle is both sad and empowering.

That’s not to say that other characters don’t shine too. Each character in this novel feels just as real and just as nuanced as any person. Honey, who plays a large role in guiding Rex through his struggles, is a compelling character in her own right.

The future that is portrayed in Dogs of War is as harrowing as it is imaginative and is a masterful exploration on the themes of what it means to be a person and what it means to be the survivor of terrible abuse. I purchased this book a long time ago and just never got around to reading it, and I’m kind of sad that I didn’t read it earlier.

Book Details

Author: Adrian TchaikovskyLength: 262 pagesGenre: Science FictionSeries: Dogs of War #1