Re-read this, and it was interesting to see how strong the emotional stakes were from the start. As a story I thought it good and strong with the caveat that I never believed the kids seemed as young as they were – or why it had to be children in this war.
However, although I thought the story well-written, I didn’t totally enjoy it – at it’s heart it’s about the emotional abuse of children, and in the end that soured something of my reading.
A classic science fiction book that’s worth picking up, but one perhaps appreciated more than enjoyed.