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Moonwar
(Moonbase Saga #2)
by
Ben Bova's extraordinary Moonbase Saga continues with a breathtaking near-future adventure rich in character and incident. Seven years after the indomitable Doug Stavenger has realized his cherished dream of establishing a colony on the inhospitable lunar surface, Moonbase is a thriving community, a marvel of scientific achievement created and supported by nanotechnology:
...more
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Paperback, 512 pages
Published
November 1st 1998
by Harper Voyager
(first published 1997)
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Start your review of Moonwar (The Grand Tour, #6; Moonbase Saga, #2)
I really, really wanted to like "Moonwar."
Near- future science fiction by a guy who knows his science, writing a tale of a Moonbase embroiled in political battles and a takeover threat by Earthers who fear the nanotechnology used at the lunar site? Espionage? Battles? I figured it would have to be good.
It isn't.
SPOiLERS BELOW
I gave up on page 281, about midpoint. What started it downhill it for me was Bova's portrayal of journalism and interpersonal communications. The book was published in 1998 ...more
Near- future science fiction by a guy who knows his science, writing a tale of a Moonbase embroiled in political battles and a takeover threat by Earthers who fear the nanotechnology used at the lunar site? Espionage? Battles? I figured it would have to be good.
It isn't.
SPOiLERS BELOW
I gave up on page 281, about midpoint. What started it downhill it for me was Bova's portrayal of journalism and interpersonal communications. The book was published in 1998 ...more
Moonwar jumps right in to the action, following on from the scenario laid out in Moonrise. Once again Douglas Stavenger, the man in symbiosis with nanobots, is protecting his father's dream, now his own, of a sustainable colony upon the moon. Bova weaves a tale of a political as well as conventional warfare, with Moonbase on the short end of the stick. As Doug tries to rally support the scientists upon the moon must create a way to prevent disaster, without any weapons at their disposal. A cleve
...more
Bova cannot write a female character to save his life! They were all two-dimensional and their entire being centered around the male characters.
Moonwar finishes the story of Moonrise, really establishing Moonbase as a power in the solar system in its own right and a refuge from the growing New Morality movements on Earth--especially when it comes to developing nano-technology.
There are certainly parts of the story that are hard to believe--particularly just how much control the UN has over ... well, anything, but especially the media. It's just... strange and feels like a manufactured threat. On the other hand, the idea of a religious ...more
There are certainly parts of the story that are hard to believe--particularly just how much control the UN has over ... well, anything, but especially the media. It's just... strange and feels like a manufactured threat. On the other hand, the idea of a religious ...more
As good as its predecessor Moonrise, it tells the story of the small outpost Moon Base gaining independence form the increasingly technophobic "flat-landers". The Earth is increasingly falling under the influence of scientifically illiterate fundamentalist religious groups and the struggling Moon Base, humanity's foothold in the final frontier, is economically and physically attacked by the UN in an attempt to bring them to heal and exert control over one of the last bastions of free thought and
...more
So much better than I expected. Great action with trends sounding like modern political happenings even though this was written in 1998. Complex plot with well drawn characters, it kept me hanging through the end.
This was no where as great a book as "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" and was a bit slow at times.
...more
Read Moonrise before this novel, it will be easier to follow the characters and issues. Bova will never disappoint you if you like your science fiction to be close to scientific possibility.
Update, about halfway through:
I'm not sure what to think about this book. The plot is quickly paced and interesting; for some reason I keep reading chapter after chapter.
Here are the negatives:
Most blaringly, this is the most racist, sexist book I've ever read (and I've read some doozies). The most prominent black character is most frequently called "the mercenary" and lives with a chip on his shoulder because of his "color problems" back on Earth citing that every black man on Earth has color p ...more
I'm not sure what to think about this book. The plot is quickly paced and interesting; for some reason I keep reading chapter after chapter.
Here are the negatives:
Most blaringly, this is the most racist, sexist book I've ever read (and I've read some doozies). The most prominent black character is most frequently called "the mercenary" and lives with a chip on his shoulder because of his "color problems" back on Earth citing that every black man on Earth has color p ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Picking up fairly recently after the events of Moonrise, the citizens of Moonbase continue to live and operate their colony while fighting (politically and ultimately physically) the forces of the U.N. back on Earth, which is trying desperately to shutdown their base due to their fear of nanotechnology, among other motivations. This is an excellent tale of how the people of Moonbase use their wits and courage to repel the bigger and stronger forces of the U.N. Peacekeeping soldiers to survive an
...more
Well I didn't expect this to have aged so poorly. It is an interesting phenomenon how science-fiction can remain avant-garde with respect to "science" yet become so rapidly dated with respect to the "fiction" (reflecting society and values of the writer, not of the era being depicted in the book).
However, while Heinlein may be quaint in his reflection of social stereotypes from the 50s and 60s, Bova's uncritical use of sexual abuse as a plot device is not so charming (and wasn't even necessary t ...more
However, while Heinlein may be quaint in his reflection of social stereotypes from the 50s and 60s, Bova's uncritical use of sexual abuse as a plot device is not so charming (and wasn't even necessary t ...more
Quite a good read for those into hard SF. i enjoyed it, despite being somewhat predictable. Good driving plot with good scientific ideas all the way through. Excellent use of solid science behind all of the ideas which is somewhat unusual in many SF novels. Bit simplistic on character development, but you can't have everything! Really liked the idea that all of the religious fanatics, and even the "good" assassin are all escaping terrible events in their respective pasts. Recommend only if you a
...more
Once again I pulled what I thought was a stand-alone that turned out to be the second book in a series. This one was a better choice than Area 51 though. I forgot how much I liked Bova's writing too. He executes a nice balance between hard science and the human condition. This novel is chock full of tension, passion, courage, treachery, romance, hubris, and many other emotions and subplots that kept me hooked. The corporate-political alliances also provide significant food for thought regarding
...more
This was better then the last one. Ben really needs on developing characters that are not so one dimensional. Which seems to be a theme in my Sci Fi book reviews of late. The premise is great and the writing is good. You end up though with a couple of characters that are well fleshed out and then the rest end up being stereotypes of one kind or another. Granted, we are all that way in the real world to some degree, but you expect more from a book. LOL!
This is a very good book, much better than its predecessor (in my experience, a very rare situation: the usual is for the sequel to be worse than the original): the characters are interesting and much better developed, the situations are well thought out, and a couple of twisters add spice to the mix. I really liked it!
Douglas Stavenger is the kind of guy that helps mankind move forward. If the future of mankind has a couple people like him, we will survive. Great characters. Great plot. Bova could let go of stereotypes a little, but, frankly, it sets the period and gives a sense that this is an alternate timeline so I would t ding him for that. Read this book.
I read this series book on its own despite being in a series. I like the setting, a moonbase and nanotechnology. I was hoping for more nanotechnology. This book has a lot of lead up to the main conflict, and then it ended fast.
I really enjoyed this book. When I read the (2) books in the Moonbase Saga, I had no idea they were part of a larger collection; the The Grand Tour. I was just happy there was a continuation of Moonrise ... now I have to look into the Grand Tour. Loved the Moonbase Saga.
Moonbase's illegal use of nanotechnology has raised the ire not only of neo-Luddites but also the United Nations, who decide to take matters into their own hands.
Bova's political intrigue keeps the reader captivated as he paints a world not unlike our own. ...more
Bova's political intrigue keeps the reader captivated as he paints a world not unlike our own. ...more
Slightly better than the first book, but it shares the problem of having utterly ludicrous villains. Bova probably should have done these two books about lunar independence in one novel (Heinlein managed it!), but he would still have had the core problem with the villains.
The fun of the Grand Tour books is not in the individual books, but it is the collection as a whole that makes them interesting. It is the exploration and science that make it interesting. It is the larger story arc of the exploration of the solar system.
Very good. Good science, fast moving plot. Relavent, couldnt put down the last 100 pages
Great science fiction. Thoroughly enjoyed.
3.5/5 stars
How many times have I picked up an adult SFF book and read it, completely oblivious to the fact that it was the second, fourth, seventh (?! This actually happened) book in a series?
HMM LET ME COUNT.
Fine. This is only the fifth time. But I want to start at the beginning, darn it. Do you know how hard that is when the book doesn't tell me where the beginning is at? I have to actually look on Goodreads or Google the book or something. Ain't nobody got time for that!
Alright, that mini-r ...more
How many times have I picked up an adult SFF book and read it, completely oblivious to the fact that it was the second, fourth, seventh (?! This actually happened) book in a series?
HMM LET ME COUNT.
Fine. This is only the fifth time. But I want to start at the beginning, darn it. Do you know how hard that is when the book doesn't tell me where the beginning is at? I have to actually look on Goodreads or Google the book or something. Ain't nobody got time for that!
Alright, that mini-r ...more
It's too bad you can't give fractional ratings. While I rated this book a "3," I really wanted to rate it a "3.5."
Why not higher? Well, honestly the book suffers a bit from what I like to call "the Star Wars lack of imagination" - in the end the basic plot outline is just too similar to Moonrise. While the details are different, you get the distinct impression you've been here before, in the same way that those of us who watched Jedi years ago said, "Wait? They're going against the Death Star. ...more
Why not higher? Well, honestly the book suffers a bit from what I like to call "the Star Wars lack of imagination" - in the end the basic plot outline is just too similar to Moonrise. While the details are different, you get the distinct impression you've been here before, in the same way that those of us who watched Jedi years ago said, "Wait? They're going against the Death Star. ...more
Another in the Grand Tour series and the direct sequel to "Moonrise'. Best to read them in order as this books features the same characters and it it would not make as much sense without the whole background story of 'Moonrise'.
Another good edge of the seat story with the fledgling Moonbase struggling against corporate takeover, political demands from the U.N. and people with personal vendettas. Most of the book was a real page turner and I read through this in a couple of days.
As usual, Ben Bov ...more
Another good edge of the seat story with the fledgling Moonbase struggling against corporate takeover, political demands from the U.N. and people with personal vendettas. Most of the book was a real page turner and I read through this in a couple of days.
As usual, Ben Bov ...more
The nanoluddites on the Earth are unhappy about those on the Moonbase of a nearish future using nanotechnology and they have a champion in the meglomaniac leader of the UN, who assembles a "peacekeeping" force to destroy the Moonbase. The Moonbase has no weapons only a charismatic young leader, Doug, and some clever scientists. The science is plausible and the action increases to a climatic ending as the residents of Moonbase prepare their defence against the World.
Classic science fiction, an e ...more
Classic science fiction, an e ...more
Fairly interesting tale about the colonization of the moon. Although he might not have planned it that way originally, Moonwar kicked off Bova’s “Grand Tour of the Solar System” series. All in all, the Moon books are enjoyable, but not outstanding. The rather bleak ecodisaster future for the Earth often used as a backdrop by Bova is, I think, first portrayed here.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=479 ...more
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=479 ...more
One of Bova's very best. I have read a number of his books and this one is great. In this book he avoids the pitfalls of Moonbase (the first book in the series) by having this book take place over a period of a few months. Everything moves very fast in this book. The final 70 pages fly by with lots of action scenes.
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| Goodreads Librari...: Moonwar (Moonbase Saga #2) by Ben Bova | 3 | 212 | 03. September, 01:59 Uhr |
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Ben Bova was born on November 8, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1953, while attending Temple University, he married Rosa Cucinotta, they had a son and a daughter. He would later divorce Rosa in 1974. In that same year he married Barbara Berson Rose.
Bova was an avid fencer and organized Avco Everett's fencing club. He was an environmentalist, but rejected Luddism.
Bova was a technical writer ...more
Bova was an avid fencer and organized Avco Everett's fencing club. He was an environmentalist, but rejected Luddism.
Bova was a technical writer ...more
Other books in the series
Moonbase Saga
(2 books)
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