Moonwar

Moonrise: 2

ISBN: 0-380-78698-2 Order from: Amazon.com

A political thriller pitting the world government and technophobic fanaticism against pioneering space colonists.

Reviewed by David on December 20, 1998

Genre: Science Fiction (Politics, Near Future, Nanotechnology)

Synopsis: In this sequel to Moonrise, Bova describes a near future where the fear of potentially deadly nanotechnology becomes a major global political force. Spearheaded by the fanatic New Morality movement, a power-hungry Secretary General of the strengthened U.N. directs the military and political power of Earth against a small Lunar colony of scientists and engineers. Unfortunately for Doug Scavenger and his fellow Moonbase inhabitants, nanotechnology is the mainstay of their prosperity, progress, and in some cases, life. In desperation, the tiny base declares independence. Forced to innovate to delay the U.N. troops bent on occupying the base, the colonists try to win the battle of public opinion. However, the most powerful political and corporate entities on Earth direct their propaganda mechanisms and covert forces to avoid a fair fight: in the courts, press or even the bleak surface of the Moon.

The colony and its supporters face treachery, assassination and sabotage as they try to survive a war with neither weapons, nor the will to use them.

Full Review: This novel is a straightforward techno-political thriller, with love affairs, some boardroom drama, conspiracies and plots. The characters are somewhat stereotypical, and the attacks by the Earth military seemed somehow amateurish and half-hearted.

On the other hand, none of the political or technical developments seem implausible. The plot moves, for the most part, consistently and rapidly enough to maintain suspense. Unfortunately, most characters seem to be incidental to the plot, and therefore provide little of emotional involvement.

Moonwar is a slightly above average continuation in the saga of space exploration.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5; Originality: 5;

ISBN: 0-380-78698-2 Order from: Amazon.com