From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…

The Lives of Tao (Tao, #1)

Wesley Chu

Start date: June 1, 2025

Finish date: June 30, 2025

Discussion: Lives of Tao

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Lives of Tao

LoT informal alt-pick: The Tao of Pooh!
By John (Taloni) · 17 posts · 46 views

last updated Jun 25, 2025 05:02AM

LoT: Preguntas for m’sieur Chu
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last updated Jun 24, 2025 08:08AM

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What Members Thought

Dec 21, 2012 Michael Underwood rated it it was amazing

Shelves: angry-robot, poc-challenge

A rip-roaring rollercoaster ride. Roen is a fantastic reluctant hero who learns discipline, courage, and even leadership as he is thrust into a war he never even knew existed.

Chu's secret histories are possibly my favorite part of this novel, imagining a cold war between two alien factions fighting for control over human history.

Strong action, solid comedy, and great high-energy storytelling. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2013 a_tiffyfit rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, reviewed-2013, favorites-2013, arc-e-arc, angry-robot-strangechem-exhibita, kindle-bruiser

Review to come. Review will be live on the blog on June 16th, but here it is here!

Another winner from Angry Robots publishing house! What a great book! Almost makes you believe that it could all have been true and is STILL true. So many historical figures that Tao has influenced and made fantastic through possession and talking to the person, from Ghengis Khan to Mau to Roman emperors. We all know them from our history lessons. And that's why Tao's tales fit so perfectly and capture the reader Review to come. Review will be live on the blog on June 16th, but here it is here!

Another winner from Angry Robots publishing house! What a great book! Almost makes you believe that it could all have been true and is STILL true. So many historical figures that Tao has influenced and made fantastic through possession and talking to the person, from Ghengis Khan to Mau to Roman emperors. We all know them from our history lessons. And that's why Tao's tales fit so perfectly and capture the reader with that sense of wonder, that sense of possibility. What if thye really DID have something to do with all of the leaps and bounds that we humans have made? Would knowing it all change how we feel about these Quasings? Would we feel manipulated and used or will we human beings take it in stride? In this story, they did direct many aspects of our evolution!

If Quasings have not interfered would we sill be back in the caves and have not the foggiest idea of the technologies of the day that we are so dependent on? Would we be writing on cave walls instead of our Facebook walls?

The reader can easily empathize to the protagonist, Roen Tan and his experiences with the Quasings. He is the every man, at the bottom/in a rut as many of us can sympathize with having been there (or currently are there) ourselves.: work, the bar, home. These mundane every day living routines help us connect with him and feel everything that he experiences. He is human and therefore he is us. Roen is of good character, too, remaining his humble self even after his conversion. This, at least to me, makes him even more likable. And Tan, his Quasing partner, is similar in character, making it easier to accept that he is hitching a ride in Roen. I couldn't help but cheer them on as they fight the bad guys, the "evil" ones who really do not care what happens to the human race so long as they get the things out of them (humans) that they need.

It is really fantastic how the author, Chu, incorporates the historical milestones within the context of the Tao's lives. I found it believable! THIS COULD ALL BE TRUE. Haha. What would we do if we knew? If I had to describe this book to someone in a few short words, I would use: imaginative, enjoyable, wondrous. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 06, 2015 Jason rated it really liked it

A strong first sci-fi/action/spy novel by Taiwanese actor/martial artist/comedian. It's funny, the characters are interesting and likable. The writing works like a Dan Brown novel where it reads and is paced like an action movie. After the world building, the book clips along in a compellingly page-turning way. ...more

1 like · Like · see review