| Pilot Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins, the main character in several of McDevitt's novels, travels to the planet Quraqua to evacuate Academy scientists who are studying the remnants of the planet's long-departed in habitants. The scientists' time has run out and they face a deadline to evacuate the planet, as other humans orbit, awaiting to terraform its surface. A breakthrough find days prior to the deadline threaten the safety of the scientist, Hutch must use all her abilities to rescue them from the initial effects of the terraforming.
The findings add to the mystery of the Monument Makers, a vanished race who has left breathtaking monuments around the known galaxy. Hutch puzzles with the monuments, suspecting at least some have to do with the death of Quraqua's inhabitants. Back on Earth, Hutch learns of a repeating signal coming from Beta Pacifica III, a distant sun. Sent to investigate, Hutch and her crew face many life-threatening dilemmas on or near a planet in this system, and discover more clues from the monument makers. This planet's extinct inhabitants had suffered from the same devestation as those on Quraqua. The additional clues found here lead Hutch's crew to an astounding, and very dangerous discovery. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat 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 - 50 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - natural phenomena How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - almost none How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Dumb Setting A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a contemporary society - primitive aliens - empty, or nearly empty world Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only) - a moderate amount of scientific explanation How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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