Moonrise

By: Ben Bova

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

A 21st century U.S. aerospace company has developed the first permanent human settlement on the Moon, made possible by major scientific breakthroughs, particularly in the practical use of nanotechnology (microscopic machines which can build structures on the moon using lunar raw materials as well as correct damage done to the human body by illness and injury.) But conflict within the company's founding family and growing protests against the technology from radical environmentalists and religious fundamentalists on Earth put Moonbase in danger of closure. Former astronaut and brilliant visionary Paul Stavenger must prevent the project from falling into the wrong hands as a power struggle leads to murder and the near destruction of Moonbase.

©1996 Ben Bova (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This exciting, realistic near-future tale is an essential purchase for sf collections." ( Library Journal)
"Bova's picture of life on the moon and the technology necessary to sustain it is highly believable." - ( Publishers Weekly)

Classic Bova

A wonderful romp through Bova's Moonbase series. Good characters that continue on through several stories.

Frustratingly bad

This title has potential with a great concept. Unfortunately, the author created unidimensional characters with less reasoning than high school freshman and equivalent levels of emotional development. It embarrassingly was riddled with bad stereotypes. It had so much potential, but ultimately it failed.

Great Performance, Disappointing Story

I'm reading all of the Grand Tour books in chronological order. This was better than Privateers, but not nearly as good as Mars or Empire Builders.

I'm writing this review having just finished Moonrise's sequel, Moonwar. I'm very glad I *did* wait, because that's the one redeeming part of this book -- the sequel. In the sequel, you're able to forget about what a relatively conscious-less person Joanna is, and ignore the fact that the New Morality is randomly introduced without pre-amble halfway through this book.

The second book is very well written, and a very exciting journey, free from the hang-ups and crutches that this book uses.

I'm uncertain if you can read Moonwar without Moonrise -- but if nothing else, listen to this book on 2x speed, so you can get through the painfully dull or unrealistic moments much faster.

Glad this was “included”.

I like a lot of Ben Bova’s stories and there was an element of a good story hiding somewhere in here. I really tried to get through this whole book but finally cut my losses at about 70%, I should have given up sooner and saved some precious hours! Even though I’m old enough I never watched DALLAS, or any other “soap operas”. This book was about three quarters soap opera and one quarter sci-fi story. Very disappointed.