Armada is to sci/fi books and movies as Joss Whedon's Cabin in the Woods is to horror movies. It kind of explains it all, connects it all. I've read reviews complaining that Armada is too much like The Last Starfighter, Ender's Game, etc, but isn't that exactly the point? I loved it! Couldn't put it down. It was a little predictable and a little repetitive, but it was fun and exciting and I got about 80% of the references, which is always a thrill. Seriously people, what else do you want from a book?!?