| From the author of "October Sky" (aka: "Rocket Boys"), this is the story of former NASA engineer, Jack Medaris, and how he "borrows" the space shuttle Columbia for the first trip to the moon in 30-years. Jack risks his life to sidetrack the shuttle crew and take Columbia on an unscheduled detour to the moon, despite the complications presented by payload specialist, Penny High Eagle.
Hickam straps the reader in the cockpit of the space shuttle in believable fashion. From the tension at mission control, to the massive thrust of the rocket engines, to the tiny killing machines awaiting orders to unleash their high-tech fury, here are sights and science of space as you've never seen them before. And at the spiraling tale's isolated center are Jack and Penny, locked in a battle of wit and wills, rocketing weightless through space as their fates grow inextricably intertwined. Winner of the 1999 Bronze Medal for Best Mystery/Thriller from the Southern Writers Guild, this sci-fi thriller from Homer Hickam, a retired NASA engineer, is a no-holds-barred joyride. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes Explore: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Main Adversary Identity: - an organization Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Terrain Which planet? - Earth's Moon Not Earth, in Solar System? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - a significant amount of technical jargon How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |
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