Alternative Worlds
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- Jun 20, 2015
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Odyssey
Jack McDevitt
Berkley, Nov 2006, $24.95, 416.pp
ISBN: 044101433X
The earth is in trouble as global warming doomsayers of the early twenty-first century prove right. Space has proven a big expensive failure as the costs overshadow the few benefits. However with pandemic ecological disaster hammering the home world, space is a viable option to save humanity. Many scientists feel it is too late to resuscitate earth though some people like reporter Gregory MacAllister insist Earth-first movement is the best chance to rescue the populace as space means only a select few might survive.
However, the debate abruptly changes when UFO sightings dubbed “moonriders” occur circling the Pleiades. Since this is the first possible encounter with an alien race, especially one that is technically advanced, Academy leader Michael Asquith sends a ship to investigate. Much of the crew having been in space remains as skeptical as MacAllister is that they will find any sentient extraterrestrial. Still operations chief Priscilla “Hutch” Hutchins, pilot Valya Kouros, public relations expert Eric Samuels, MacAllister and teenager Amy Taylor head to the moonrider sighting. Thus when a sighting of two moonriders occur, everyone on board the earth vessel is stunned especially when it looks as if these aliens are planning massive destruction, but why remains as elusive as to how to prevent this from happening.
Jack McDevitt’s provides an interesting futuristic space ODYSSEY filled with a delightful twist involving the motive of the enigmatic moonriders. The story line set in the same universe as CHINDI takes its time to paint the dismal picture of a dying planet with choices confronting humanity (an extension of today’s debates between environment and development, and space vs. earth). The cast feels a bit odd for a first encounter (a PR, a teen and a reporter), but fans of Mr. McDevitt will appreciate his cautionary tale that we better do something today or pay an exorbitant amount tomorrow that spins into an outer space opera.
Jack McDevitt
Berkley, Nov 2006, $24.95, 416.pp
ISBN: 044101433X
The earth is in trouble as global warming doomsayers of the early twenty-first century prove right. Space has proven a big expensive failure as the costs overshadow the few benefits. However with pandemic ecological disaster hammering the home world, space is a viable option to save humanity. Many scientists feel it is too late to resuscitate earth though some people like reporter Gregory MacAllister insist Earth-first movement is the best chance to rescue the populace as space means only a select few might survive.
However, the debate abruptly changes when UFO sightings dubbed “moonriders” occur circling the Pleiades. Since this is the first possible encounter with an alien race, especially one that is technically advanced, Academy leader Michael Asquith sends a ship to investigate. Much of the crew having been in space remains as skeptical as MacAllister is that they will find any sentient extraterrestrial. Still operations chief Priscilla “Hutch” Hutchins, pilot Valya Kouros, public relations expert Eric Samuels, MacAllister and teenager Amy Taylor head to the moonrider sighting. Thus when a sighting of two moonriders occur, everyone on board the earth vessel is stunned especially when it looks as if these aliens are planning massive destruction, but why remains as elusive as to how to prevent this from happening.
Jack McDevitt’s provides an interesting futuristic space ODYSSEY filled with a delightful twist involving the motive of the enigmatic moonriders. The story line set in the same universe as CHINDI takes its time to paint the dismal picture of a dying planet with choices confronting humanity (an extension of today’s debates between environment and development, and space vs. earth). The cast feels a bit odd for a first encounter (a PR, a teen and a reporter), but fans of Mr. McDevitt will appreciate his cautionary tale that we better do something today or pay an exorbitant amount tomorrow that spins into an outer space opera.
