I don't know why, but Bacigalupi's books always have a "gritty, dirty" feel to them. Not sure how to describe them. This is a good book, well written as always. I enjoyed that we get to learn a bit more about Tool and his pack members. ( )

YA, nuff said. ( )

When I read the first two books in this series, I thought Bacigalupi's world was the most convincing near-future climate change scenario I'd ever read in fiction, with the exception of the dramatic collapse of the US into civil war, to be rescued by Chinese peacekeepers. ("Rescued.")

That part seems a lot more convincing now.

At any rate, it was well written, compelling, with great characters, and as always a little bit too real and believable to be entirely comfortable. Recommended. ( )

Tool of War by Paolo Bacigalupi is the third book in his Shipbreaker trilogy. Set far into the future, Bacigalupi envisions a world shaped by climate change and run by multi-national companies. In this novel, we finally have as a main character, Tool, the genetically engineered, DNA-spliced augment, who was bred as a killing machine. Blood-lust, survival and loyalty are part of his genetic make-up, but after breaking free of his servitude, he now represents the ultimate threat to those who used to control him for Tool also was designed to turn other augments away from their masters and to think for themselves.

All the previous characters from the first two books appear in this one, and the point of view shifts between them and some new characters as well. Tool has appeared in all three books, but it is in this one that he finally takes center stage and we learn more about his intricate relationships with other humans and augments.

I have really enjoyed this YA science fiction trilogy. Bacigalupi is a master at world-building; and the on-going story has proved to be just as intriguing. The tension builds throughout the book until the final confrontation between Tool and the man who created him. There is a fair amount of violence and bloodshed so it is more suitable for the older YA spectrum. Tool of War is a strong, entertaining addition to the author’s post-apocalyptic series. ( )

This is the final book in the Ship Breaker series, and once again we're returned to Tool and Mahlia and the Drowned Cities, only this time Tool's past has come home to roost and they find themselves fleeing for their lives.

Shortly thereafter we pick up again with the characters from Ship Breaker, as Tool seeks their aid to turn events to his favour.

It was an excellent cap to the series and I really enjoyed how it tied all the events of the books together and resolved them, to get the most out of this you'd definitely want to read the first two books before getting into this or I think you'd miss a lot of background you need to really enjoy it.

Would recommend. ( )