Despite its age, it seems to be contemporary, taking place in the next few years. I also find it hard to believe that the story was first published thirty years ago. By using this technique, the author kept the story moving without having to introduce other characters and backstory. Kudos to the author for inserting himself as an interviewer in one of these chapters. I also liked the short “in between” chapters that filled out the macro details of the story without having the characters describe what is going on elsewhere. The addition of hard science, without over-describing it, kept the story moving seamlessly. On the positive side, I enjoyed the world that the author created. I also found the plot somewhat predictable, however the story was told well enough that it didn’t have that big a negative impact. I don’t really see the point, other than to anchor the reader in the current timeline with familiar names. I found the first couple of chapters filled with an annoying number of product names, almost like a sponsorship. I do have a couple of negative comments, and I’ll get them out of the way first. I found Lunar Decent (Near Space #3) to be a nice mix of hard science and storytelling set in a creative world. It revolves around problems with Descartes Station on the moon, and the efforts of a reluctantly appointed general manger. Lunar Decent is an alternate timeline story set in the very near future. There is a lot of humor here as well and some of the side stories (e.g., space pirates and the vacuum suckers) are very funny. Lunar Descent differs in the writing style from Steele's first two novels, with each chapter being introduced by newspaper clips, interviews and so forth that took place after the events on the moon base this is a difficult motif to pull off successfully, but Steele does an excellent job here and foreshadows upcoming events in a lucid way. Yes, the tech has a slightly dated feel, but it does not detract from the story. I should reiterate that this really is a hard science fiction novel, and most of the main characters are the actual grunts who operate the base, run the factories and so forth. So we have corporate intrigue, some sort of con games, and overlapping all of it is Steele's vividly imagined base in all its functioning glory. Steele, as usual, has many subplots brewing, including a con man who makes it to the moon, the potential sale of the base to a Japanese firm (when this was published in 1991, Japan was considered to be the next industrial powerhouse). Lester has been on the wagon for 8 years and running a campground in New Hampshire he is also told that they need a hard ass to bring the base up to snuff. In perhaps a desperate move, Skycorp rehires an old director of Descartes- Lester- who we briefly meet in Orbital Decay. Skycorp, who owns the base, recently carried out a surprise inspection of the base and found all kinds of drugs, etc., in open use and fired half of the employees, including the director. Since Orbital Decay, the moon base has expanded to over 100 people, but they are not happy campers. He collects vintage science fiction books and magazines, spacecraft model kits, and dreams.Īnother outstanding Near Space novel by Steele! This takes place about 8 years after Orbital Decay, so 2024 or so, and most of the main characters are 'moondogs'- the workers on the Descartes Lunar base that mine and process lunar ore into oxygen, aluminum, and other products necessary for Skycorp to build powersats. Steele lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, Linda, and a continual procession of adopted dogs. He would like very much to go into orbit, and hopes that one day he’ll be able to afford to do so. In 2001, he testified before the US House of Representatives in hearings regarding the future of space exploration. He has witnessed numerous space shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center and has flown NASA’s shuttle cockpit simulator at the Johnson Space Center. He also belongs to Sigma, a group of science fiction writers who frequently serve as unpaid consultants on matters regarding technology and security.Īllen Steele is a lifelong space buff, and this interest has not only influenced his writing, it has taken him to some interesting places. He serves on the board of advisors for the Space Frontier Foundation and is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. His work has received numerous accolades, including three Hugo Awards, and has been translated worldwide, mainly into languages he can’t read. Since then, Steele has published eighteen novels and nearly one hundred short stories. But science fiction was his first love, so he eventually ditched journalism and began producing that which had made him decide to become a writer in the first place. Before becoming a science fiction writer, Allen Steele was a journalist for newspapers and magazines in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Missouri, and his home state of Tennessee.
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