What do you think?
Rate this book
Rescue Mode
Gritty and scientifically accurate science fiction adventure from New York Times best-selling author Ben Bova and NASA space scientist Les Johnson. If you liked The Martian, experience Rescue Mode.
The first human mission to Mars meets with near-disaster when a meteoroid strikes the spacecraft, almost destroying it. The ship is too far from Earth to simply turn around and return home. The eight-person crew must ride their crippled ship to Mars while they desperately struggle to survive.
On Earth, powerful political forces that oppose human spaceflight try to use the accident as proof that sending humans into space is too dangerous to continue. The whole human space flight program hangs in the balance. And if the astronauts can’t nurse their ship to Mars and back, the voyagers will become either the first Martian colonists—or the first humans to perish on another planet.
About Rescue Mode:
"Space enthusiasts will appreciate the technical accuracy of Rescue Mode which reflects the engineering background of author Les Johnson, a rocket scientist. . . . Space enthusiasts . . . will want to add this one to their collection."—Ad Astra, National Space Society
"Bova and Johnson artfully introduce us to the major players in . . . the ambitious program for humankind’s first manned mission to Mars . . . and a tribute to Bova and Johnson’s story-telling skill . . . [which] shows plausible scientists at work in spite of daunting obstacles. . . . a story well-told."—LabLit
About Mars, Inc.:
"The Hugo winner returns to his most popular subject: the quest for Mars."—Publishers Weekly
About the award winning novels of Ben Bova:
“Technically accurate and absorbing . . .”—Kirkus
“[Bova is] the science fiction author who will have the greatest effect on the world.”—Ray Bradbury
“A masterful storyteller.”—Vector
“Gives a good read while turning your eyes to what might be in the not so distant future, just like Clarke and Asimov used to do so well.”—SFX
The first human mission to Mars meets with near-disaster when a meteoroid strikes the spacecraft, almost destroying it. The ship is too far from Earth to simply turn around and return home. The eight-person crew must ride their crippled ship to Mars while they desperately struggle to survive.
On Earth, powerful political forces that oppose human spaceflight try to use the accident as proof that sending humans into space is too dangerous to continue. The whole human space flight program hangs in the balance. And if the astronauts can’t nurse their ship to Mars and back, the voyagers will become either the first Martian colonists—or the first humans to perish on another planet.
About Rescue Mode:
"Space enthusiasts will appreciate the technical accuracy of Rescue Mode which reflects the engineering background of author Les Johnson, a rocket scientist. . . . Space enthusiasts . . . will want to add this one to their collection."—Ad Astra, National Space Society
"Bova and Johnson artfully introduce us to the major players in . . . the ambitious program for humankind’s first manned mission to Mars . . . and a tribute to Bova and Johnson’s story-telling skill . . . [which] shows plausible scientists at work in spite of daunting obstacles. . . . a story well-told."—LabLit
About Mars, Inc.:
"The Hugo winner returns to his most popular subject: the quest for Mars."—Publishers Weekly
About the award winning novels of Ben Bova:
“Technically accurate and absorbing . . .”—Kirkus
“[Bova is] the science fiction author who will have the greatest effect on the world.”—Ray Bradbury
“A masterful storyteller.”—Vector
“Gives a good read while turning your eyes to what might be in the not so distant future, just like Clarke and Asimov used to do so well.”—SFX
- GenresScience FictionFiction
432 pages, ebook
First published May 15, 2014
6 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Ben Bova
714 books1,030 followersBen 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 for Project Vanguard and later for Avco Everett in the 1960s when they did research in lasers and fluid dynamics. It was there that he met Arthur R. Kantrowitz later of the Foresight Institute.
In 1971 he became editor of Analog Science Fiction after John W. Campbell's death. After leaving Analog, he went on to edit Omni during 1978-1982.
In 1974 he wrote the screenplay for an episode of the children's science fiction television series Land of the Lost entitled "The Search".
Bova was the science advisor for the failed television series The Starlost, leaving in disgust after the airing of the first episode. His novel The Starcrossed was loosely based on his experiences and featured a thinly veiled characterization of his friend and colleague Harlan Ellison. He dedicated the novel to "Cordwainer Bird", the pen name Harlan Ellison uses when he does not want to be associated with a television or film project.
Bova was the President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past President of Science-fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).
Bova went back to school in the 1980s, earning an M.A. in communications in 1987 and a Ph.D. in 1996.
Bova has drawn on these meetings and experiences to create fact and fiction writings rich with references to spaceflight, lasers, artificial hearts, nanotechnology, environmentalism, fencing and martial arts, photography and artists.
Bova was the author of over a hundred and fifteen books, non-fiction as well as science fiction. In 2000, he was the Author Guest of Honor at the 58th World Science Fiction Convention (Chicon 2000).
Hollywood has started to take an interest in Bova's works once again, in addition to his wealth of knowledge about science and what the future may look like. In 2007, he was hired as a consultant by both Stuber/Parent Productions to provide insight into what the world is to look like in the near future for their upcoming film "Repossession Mambo" (released as "Repo Men") starring Jude Law and Forest Whitaker and by Silver Pictures in which he provided consulting services on the feature adaptation of Richard Morgan's "Altered Carbon".
http://us.macmillan.com/author/benbova
Bova was an avid fencer and organized Avco Everett's fencing club. He was an environmentalist, but rejected Luddism.
Bova was a technical writer for Project Vanguard and later for Avco Everett in the 1960s when they did research in lasers and fluid dynamics. It was there that he met Arthur R. Kantrowitz later of the Foresight Institute.
In 1971 he became editor of Analog Science Fiction after John W. Campbell's death. After leaving Analog, he went on to edit Omni during 1978-1982.
In 1974 he wrote the screenplay for an episode of the children's science fiction television series Land of the Lost entitled "The Search".
Bova was the science advisor for the failed television series The Starlost, leaving in disgust after the airing of the first episode. His novel The Starcrossed was loosely based on his experiences and featured a thinly veiled characterization of his friend and colleague Harlan Ellison. He dedicated the novel to "Cordwainer Bird", the pen name Harlan Ellison uses when he does not want to be associated with a television or film project.
Bova was the President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past President of Science-fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).
Bova went back to school in the 1980s, earning an M.A. in communications in 1987 and a Ph.D. in 1996.
Bova has drawn on these meetings and experiences to create fact and fiction writings rich with references to spaceflight, lasers, artificial hearts, nanotechnology, environmentalism, fencing and martial arts, photography and artists.
Bova was the author of over a hundred and fifteen books, non-fiction as well as science fiction. In 2000, he was the Author Guest of Honor at the 58th World Science Fiction Convention (Chicon 2000).
Hollywood has started to take an interest in Bova's works once again, in addition to his wealth of knowledge about science and what the future may look like. In 2007, he was hired as a consultant by both Stuber/Parent Productions to provide insight into what the world is to look like in the near future for their upcoming film "Repossession Mambo" (released as "Repo Men") starring Jude Law and Forest Whitaker and by Silver Pictures in which he provided consulting services on the feature adaptation of Richard Morgan's "Altered Carbon".
http://us.macmillan.com/author/benbova
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 20, 2016
This book reminds me of The Martian, but it's not quite as entertaining. It incorporates the different storylines, alternating between earth and space, just like The Martian, and the crew is faced with a "tough decision" that they must make unanimously. However, this book does not have the humor of The Martian. I found it hard to keep all the characters straight at first, and all the technical details can be a little tedious. The constant reminder of the 15 minute lag in communications between Earth and Mars was off-putting for me and the "romance" that was thrown in was laughable. Despite these flaws, I was compelled to keep reading in order to find out what happens.
July 29, 2016
Another great story from Ben Bova and obviously the start of a series as there are unresolved issues as the book ends.
Short chapters and evolving characters always attracts my attention
Recommended Author and book
Short chapters and evolving characters always attracts my attention
Recommended Author and book
June 1, 2014
Science-fiction author and noted scientist David Brin has often stated that far too much recent science-fiction is dystopian in nature. With this book Ben Bova and Les Johnson provide a story that is optimistic about space exploration while remaining realistic about the challenges that we face as we reach for the stars (and planets). The action revolves around the first manned mission to Mars and the difficulties that the crew face in space as well as the difficulties that forward thinking politicians and the NASA administration need to overcome in order to maintain humanity's role as explorers.
The narrative does a remarkable job of providing the right mix of interesting character interactions, scientific information, and political intrigue. This is a fantastic book and is highly recommended.
The narrative does a remarkable job of providing the right mix of interesting character interactions, scientific information, and political intrigue. This is a fantastic book and is highly recommended.
July 15, 2014
As a young adolescent I cut my teeth on the likes of Robert Heinlein, Andre Norton, Ayn Rand, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Ray Bradbury. It was a visionary existence of what could be and what might be. It was a powerful, compelling, imaginative realm for a teenager with dreams of adventure and desires for exploits. Therefore it was quite enjoyable to dive into Ben Bova’s and Les Johnson’s new Science Fiction work, “Rescue Mode.” Once again I met my old friends, adventure, excitement, adversity, and accomplishment, and together we traveled to Mars and back.
The whole expedition of “Rescue Mode” begins in 2031, with the buildup of the Arrow and the filling out of eight characters who will travel to Mars. Then it launches toward the red planet, shatters somewhat surprisingly, limps to its destination and takes off in two directions to finish out the story. The entire quest, as Bova and Johnson tell it, is woven together with political positioning and machinations back on earth, as well as unforeseen trouble and terror in space. It is a tale of overcoming the unexpected, surviving the inevitable, and succeeding through the disheartening. I would imagine that Ray Bradbury, of “The Martian Chronicles” fame, would have found delight in this narrative.
“Rescue Mode” is an easy read that would be pleasurable to young and old alike. Profanity is at a minimum, and there are hints of sexuality, but they are neither graphic nor pornographic. In other words, they don’t add any value to the story, and their absence would not have hurt the plot. If you’re looking for a light summer book, you might want to pick up “Rescue Mode” and head out with Commander Benson and the crew of the Arrow. With only mild reservations noted above, I recommend the book.
The whole expedition of “Rescue Mode” begins in 2031, with the buildup of the Arrow and the filling out of eight characters who will travel to Mars. Then it launches toward the red planet, shatters somewhat surprisingly, limps to its destination and takes off in two directions to finish out the story. The entire quest, as Bova and Johnson tell it, is woven together with political positioning and machinations back on earth, as well as unforeseen trouble and terror in space. It is a tale of overcoming the unexpected, surviving the inevitable, and succeeding through the disheartening. I would imagine that Ray Bradbury, of “The Martian Chronicles” fame, would have found delight in this narrative.
“Rescue Mode” is an easy read that would be pleasurable to young and old alike. Profanity is at a minimum, and there are hints of sexuality, but they are neither graphic nor pornographic. In other words, they don’t add any value to the story, and their absence would not have hurt the plot. If you’re looking for a light summer book, you might want to pick up “Rescue Mode” and head out with Commander Benson and the crew of the Arrow. With only mild reservations noted above, I recommend the book.
August 16, 2014
This feels like throw back science fiction which may be an oxymoron. The story is about the first manned mission to Mars. It had the feel of the stories I read as a child which was a long, long time ago in the far, far away.
The most dismaying and probably accurate factor in the story was the way politics impact something as important as space exploration. A President who believes that the world needs a space frontier to both unite it and provide hope is opposed by a self serving senator who want to be President. This would be trite if it wasn't so realistic. You can't pick up the paper (age showing) or read news on the net without an example of political corruption. As I write this, the TV news is discussing a Texas governor's indictment. We have to accept that we live in an imperfect world and hope that the general population can be made to understand how important a viable frontier is to our national psychic.
Probably obvious that the book was preaching to the choir. The technology and industry already jump started by our space program should make it so obvious that space exploration is hardly a waste of money. With the short sighted poltical climate in DC we have to hope that private industry can demonstrate successful space flight and perhaps shame Congress into providing support.
This book is a novelization of my diatribe above.
I enjoyed the book and Ben Bova's periodic editorials in the Naples Daily News.
The most dismaying and probably accurate factor in the story was the way politics impact something as important as space exploration. A President who believes that the world needs a space frontier to both unite it and provide hope is opposed by a self serving senator who want to be President. This would be trite if it wasn't so realistic. You can't pick up the paper (age showing) or read news on the net without an example of political corruption. As I write this, the TV news is discussing a Texas governor's indictment. We have to accept that we live in an imperfect world and hope that the general population can be made to understand how important a viable frontier is to our national psychic.
Probably obvious that the book was preaching to the choir. The technology and industry already jump started by our space program should make it so obvious that space exploration is hardly a waste of money. With the short sighted poltical climate in DC we have to hope that private industry can demonstrate successful space flight and perhaps shame Congress into providing support.
This book is a novelization of my diatribe above.
I enjoyed the book and Ben Bova's periodic editorials in the Naples Daily News.
April 3, 2019
Ben Bova and Les Johnson teamed up to write this thrilling speculative story of a Mars Mission gone wrong and create a realistic look into space travel. The danger is further complicated by a conniving politician who wants to defund any further manned missions to Mars, including any effort to rescue the stranded Astronauts. The characters are well described and carefully plotted out, except the president and the other politicians in the story. Before we reach the conclusion of the story we see some character growth and development, making this better than simply a Science Fiction thriller. But the realism makes this story crackle like a wildfire.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story-- I'm new to Ben Bova, but finding him to be a real treasure-- for he seems to write some truly solid Science Fiction and I'm certain he relied heavily on Mr. Johnson, who is a former astronaut. The compelling story ends a little too abruptly for my personal taste, but this is a wonderfully written book, full of fantastic details about Mars, possible Mars missions. If you enjoyed "The Martian" movie -- I think this one is right in your galaxy!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story-- I'm new to Ben Bova, but finding him to be a real treasure-- for he seems to write some truly solid Science Fiction and I'm certain he relied heavily on Mr. Johnson, who is a former astronaut. The compelling story ends a little too abruptly for my personal taste, but this is a wonderfully written book, full of fantastic details about Mars, possible Mars missions. If you enjoyed "The Martian" movie -- I think this one is right in your galaxy!
July 2, 2014
This book reminded me strongly of Apollo 13. In the future, man has begun space exploration. We have people on the moon collecting resources. A recent visit to Mars has indicated that there is likely to be life. A push is made to send astronauts to Mars to further examine what life may be present. The crew run into numerous difficulties far from home, both technical and political. Ingenuity and persistence and help from home see them through.
It was an interesting read and touched on some new and some upcoming technology.
What it did not do was leave me with that good book hangover...you know the one...where you have to allow a book to pass through your system before you can pick up another one? I was ready to get right to the next read.
It was an interesting read and touched on some new and some upcoming technology.
What it did not do was leave me with that good book hangover...you know the one...where you have to allow a book to pass through your system before you can pick up another one? I was ready to get right to the next read.
September 19, 2014
I read this book in a week as I found it very interesting and good. I have met Mr. Bova a few times and been on a panel with him at Florida cons. I also met Mr. Johnson once at a Dragoncon I believe. This is hard near future science fiction and a reasonably technically accurate extrapolation of man's first trip to Mars. Bova likes to throw in the politics of space and the book does a reasonable job at that as well. The characterizations are done nicely while probably a bit simplified but fit in well with the story line. All in all a worthwhile read for someone who likes hard science fiction in a realistic vein.
January 2, 2015
I have been fascinated with exploration of Mars for years. This book is cowritten by one of the scientists who have been exploring the possibilities for years. The premise is believable. The politics that would impact the journey are believable. As it would be in real life the astronauts are A type personalities all willing to sacrifice at least 2 years for the fame of being the first. The characters are all realistic but not as well developed as the science is explained. There are several very exciting events and the political machinations and politicians are perhaps more nuanced than the astronauts. Definitely an interesting read.
July 10, 2014
Scientifically accurate, my foot. Not a bad story, however some silly errors detract from it. Carbon 11 is the lightest isotope of carbon, why state that C12 is? Senator Everett Dirksen was from Illinois, not Ohio. And a solar Coronal Mass Ejection would not hit Mars and a spacecraft millions of miles away simultaneously. The assertion that living organisms store C12 preferentially rather than other isotopes is one I hadn't heard before, and I don't see a possible mechanism for it.
August 23, 2014
Was this a great Mars book, or what? Ben Bova teams up with Les Johnson to give us a masterpiece of space exploration. In 2035, when 3D printers and VR news stations are the norm, humans are going to Mars. They encounter numerous dangers and misfortunes, but the story doesn't feel strained in any way. I just wish this will all come true in 20 years from now, so I get to experience it first-hand. Loved the book! Can't wait for the next one, Ben Bova!
July 26, 2017
Naturally comparisons have been made with the best selling The Martian and whilst it isn't as good as Andy Weir's excellent novel, this is still a gripping story where a flight to Mars gets hit by a seemingly innocuous rock. The damage is not good and they might not make it onto the surface of Mars, never mind home. Without giving the game away, there is definitely a hint of a sequel.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
May 31, 2023
I love it. It was a great space read. Action packed and it flowed just right enough for me to keep the pages turning. I was a little disappointed that it wrapped up quickly within the last 100 pages. There was still so much more that could have been written, even a part two book? But this was published in 2014 so I don’t like my chances of reading a proper and complete wrap up of the story.
But still an enjoyable read.
But still an enjoyable read.
July 10, 2014
This novel imagines how a trip to mars might play out in the relatively near future. The story unfolds in small diary-like chapters, switching between the astronaut's and the earth bound participants viewpoints (NASA support, family, political players, and the public (news media).
August 1, 2014
A similar concept to The Martian but with a crew of 8. Not quite as chock-a-block science, more human interaction. Nice!
June 21, 2020
I always love Bova, and I’m a huge fan of Les Johnson as well. This book was great, but it felt like it ended super abruptly and the stereotypical romances were a little forced and expected. Otherwise the science and realistic politics in this were fantastic and I highly recommend this one.
April 21, 2018
Eight people head to Mars. A meteoroid strikes the ship. A political decision must be made to devise a rescue plan or let them die space. Meanwhile the astronauts force the hands of the politicians. A happy ending ensues. That is the crux of the story.
This is Weir's The Martian Ben Bova style. I liked the book but glad I didn't buy the book.Bova's books generally have an anti religious theme that is missing from this story line. There is also more politics in this book than his previous works.I honestly hated the feel good ending to this story.
One day a science fiction writer is going to a write book about colonizing or where some attempts land on Mars and its a total failure and writer tells story of the aftermath of such a failure.That book would be worth reading. This isn't that book. Nor am I the person to write it. Ben Bova could have done it in this book and given his abilities it would have been great.This book is an ok read but lacked a soul.
April 10, 2020
Rescue Mode Is like a popular, midrange, family car. Everything is OK. The paintwork is alright, reliable, not too expensive to run and maintain, and is popular with lots of car owners. But the interior is brown, the performance is sluggish and the design is so common it is hard to find in a car park. I think that is as far as I can go with the car analogy. The point is the book attempts to give an authentic feel to the first trip to Mars. I believe Les Johnson, one of the co-authors, is an N.A.S.A employee . After reading this book I realise it’s not authentic I want.
On the back of the book is a quote From Isaac Asimov.
“Never ending action and mind bending concepts combine to make Orion absolutely Unforgeable”
Yes, that is the book I would like to read, but this is not Orion.
On the back of the book is a quote From Isaac Asimov.
“Never ending action and mind bending concepts combine to make Orion absolutely Unforgeable”
Yes, that is the book I would like to read, but this is not Orion.
June 28, 2025
This book is set in 2035, a mere 10 years from now. And totally believable that it could happen. A manned spaceship journey to Mars. Short chapters follow the 2 astronauts and 6 scientists as they start their journey, encounter a random small meteor speeding through space, deal with the damages with the assistance from earth-bound NASA. A few chapters cover the politics of sending humans into space, especially to Mars, where the President is completely behind the mission and one Senator is completely against it. Totally believable.
October 11, 2018
Fantastic Sci Fi book about a manned mission to Mars gone awry, wonderfully written. I wish it had been another 100 or so pages longer. I loved the book.
November 19, 2020
Review shortly
July 8, 2014
Definitely meant to be 'realistic'.. this one is set about 20 years in the future (2034-2035) and documents the first manned mission to Mars.
There are several veins of the story... the astronauts themselves, the mission control people, the politicians, and the press. The last two were kinda useless to the plot, them seemed to exist solely for the authors to make a bit of commentary about them. Interestingly, the main politicans aren't named by party, but rather more as 'anti-space' and 'pro-space'... until the end, when we find both are republicans. The sitting president is the 'good' guy, and fervent space advocate, while there a key senator, who wants to run for president that's the anti-space 'bad' guy. They get together in the end though.. don't want those nasty Dems in power, right?
The press was a very kind portrait, which was refreshing, but totally unnecessary to the story... kinda reminded me of the first book in this thread, by Arthur Clarke.
It's a good story overall, and certainly brings to mind Bova's 'Grand Tour' books, but it was all too easy. I think it was meant to show how we could make it even in a 'worst case scenario', but I never felt there was much danger... it was very clear from the outset the book was meant to be 'go space!'.. the dedication is even to 'the human being to set foot on Mars'. That said, the plot was fun, the characters engaging, and the science well thought out and realistic.
I'd absolutely recommend it if you in the mood for a 'man goes to mars' book.
There are several veins of the story... the astronauts themselves, the mission control people, the politicians, and the press. The last two were kinda useless to the plot, them seemed to exist solely for the authors to make a bit of commentary about them. Interestingly, the main politicans aren't named by party, but rather more as 'anti-space' and 'pro-space'... until the end, when we find both are republicans. The sitting president is the 'good' guy, and fervent space advocate, while there a key senator, who wants to run for president that's the anti-space 'bad' guy. They get together in the end though.. don't want those nasty Dems in power, right?
The press was a very kind portrait, which was refreshing, but totally unnecessary to the story... kinda reminded me of the first book in this thread, by Arthur Clarke.
It's a good story overall, and certainly brings to mind Bova's 'Grand Tour' books, but it was all too easy. I think it was meant to show how we could make it even in a 'worst case scenario', but I never felt there was much danger... it was very clear from the outset the book was meant to be 'go space!'.. the dedication is even to 'the human being to set foot on Mars'. That said, the plot was fun, the characters engaging, and the science well thought out and realistic.
I'd absolutely recommend it if you in the mood for a 'man goes to mars' book.
June 28, 2014
I have read one book by Ben Bova and enjoyed it. The author does an excellent job of describing the gritty details of living in the near future. He does not fail in this book that he has written with Les Johnson, who is
"the Senior Technical Assistant for the Advanced Concepts Office at the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama."
The collaboration of the two authors makes this book plot driven, technically as accurate as possible and makes the politics of the United States and the world space program come to life.
This is a plot driven book. The narrative goes back and forth between the beleaguered spaceship and crew and American politics prior to a presidential election.
Unfortunately for me, I found the characters underdeveloped. I would have liked to see them more developed. I thought the women on the crew were wasted, annoyingly beautiful and eager to be physically involved with someone. Many times we are reminded that they are going to be in space for a long time and everyone's going to want to pair up. I understand this to be true but I also found it shallow. I will not go into spoilers but there is a character who is gravely ill and we barely hear from him.
I understand the reason for my complaint. This book is all about the plot and what happens in space and what happens on earth. This is a plot driven book but it was a little too newsy and "television" drama for me.
"the Senior Technical Assistant for the Advanced Concepts Office at the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama."
The collaboration of the two authors makes this book plot driven, technically as accurate as possible and makes the politics of the United States and the world space program come to life.
This is a plot driven book. The narrative goes back and forth between the beleaguered spaceship and crew and American politics prior to a presidential election.
Unfortunately for me, I found the characters underdeveloped. I would have liked to see them more developed. I thought the women on the crew were wasted, annoyingly beautiful and eager to be physically involved with someone. Many times we are reminded that they are going to be in space for a long time and everyone's going to want to pair up. I understand this to be true but I also found it shallow. I will not go into spoilers but there is a character who is gravely ill and we barely hear from him.
I understand the reason for my complaint. This book is all about the plot and what happens in space and what happens on earth. This is a plot driven book but it was a little too newsy and "television" drama for me.
November 27, 2015
The year is 2035, and the first manned mission to Mars is getting underway.
During the long transit, disaster strikes and our heroes must find a way to survive.
While the story itself is engaging in an adventure novel kind of way, the prose is not. Much of the dialogue feels written to explain things to the reader. It makes the characters look clueless about the systems and concepts they should be experts on. It is also rather corny most of the time.
The social sensibilities are very old fashioned. Males taking the lead and feeling protective about women even if those women are highly trained astronauts. The technology doesn't feel very futuristic either. In a nutshell, the book is set in 2035, but feels like 2015, or maybe 1965.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1908
During the long transit, disaster strikes and our heroes must find a way to survive.
While the story itself is engaging in an adventure novel kind of way, the prose is not. Much of the dialogue feels written to explain things to the reader. It makes the characters look clueless about the systems and concepts they should be experts on. It is also rather corny most of the time.
The social sensibilities are very old fashioned. Males taking the lead and feeling protective about women even if those women are highly trained astronauts. The technology doesn't feel very futuristic either. In a nutshell, the book is set in 2035, but feels like 2015, or maybe 1965.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1908
July 3, 2014
I'm a sucker for Mars with a preference for 'hard' (i.e. scientifically plausible) sci-fi. Ben Bova's previous Mars books were enjoyable, even if they didn't have the glorious scope of Kim Stanley Robinson.
Sadly this book didn't do it for me. Mostly I think because the characters just didn't feel real or relatable. One in particular got over a major emotional trauma without much trouble, and others started relationships that seemed very unlikely.
I read 'The Martian' by Andy Weir earlier this year, and for me it did a far better job of the space disaster storyline. Perhaps it's a matter of personal preference.
Hopefully the next one will be a return to form. More Mars please Mr Bova.
Sadly this book didn't do it for me. Mostly I think because the characters just didn't feel real or relatable. One in particular got over a major emotional trauma without much trouble, and others started relationships that seemed very unlikely.
I read 'The Martian' by Andy Weir earlier this year, and for me it did a far better job of the space disaster storyline. Perhaps it's a matter of personal preference.
Hopefully the next one will be a return to form. More Mars please Mr Bova.
July 10, 2014
An ancient, classic trope in science fiction is having a ship go into Rescue Mode (hard from Baen) after being hit by a meteor. Ben Bova and Les Johnson do that to a NASA expedition to Mars with a crew of eight, mixed men and women. There’s the excitement of survival and the politics of funding a second expedition to keep the excitement going. Both writers are very familiar with space engineering that makes the tale feel realistic, though I think the time for Government funded space exploration has passed. There’s plenty of room here for a sequel. Review published by the Philadelphia Weekly Press
Read
May 12, 2016When I was a boy I read myself through the long California desert summers with stacks of space science fiction books like this one. Just enough characterization to make the story hold together and move. What worked for me then and works with this book for me now, is the room for my imagination this approach provided. The needed details to make the story work came from me, and that's just fine. So as recovered memory of previous personal times and current conjecture tale of the first exploration by humans of that mysterious red planet neighbor of ours, it worked. I am new to Bova and will read more.
May 30, 2014
This near future SF novel has a small manned mission going to Mars. The mission has a series of problems one after another and at some point even the characters in the story ask if they are cursed. But of course all the hurdles are met and overcome one way or another. The the book ends on an up note and even with all that happens the reader will finish this book felling quite happy.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
July 13, 2014
I had it in my head that Baen were reasonable, but this is ridiculously priced in every format. It's also a little meandering and plodding, and although it's interestingly retro in parts and alarmingly forward in others (Twitter and the reporter are good postmodern examples) it didn't really go anywhere out of the ordinary.
The name's also misleading, because there's no rescue, just in case you, like me, were expecting one.
The name's also misleading, because there's no rescue, just in case you, like me, were expecting one.
March 10, 2015
Very quick read...once I decided to read it.
Very similar plot and challenges as The Martian, which I read first and had more humanity, humor, and personality.
That said, this delivered a realistic near-future plot in a quick read and not challenging. Pretty much what I've come to expect from Ben Bova
Very similar plot and challenges as The Martian, which I read first and had more humanity, humor, and personality.
That said, this delivered a realistic near-future plot in a quick read and not challenging. Pretty much what I've come to expect from Ben Bova
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews