Uranus

The Outer Planets Trilogy, Book 1

By: Ben Bova

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Ben Bova, author of Earth, continues his exploration of the future of a human-settled Solar System with the science-fiction action adventure Uranus.

On a privately financed orbital habitat above the planet Uranus, political idealism conflicts with pragmatic - and illegal - methods of financing. Add a scientist who has funding to launch a probe deep into Uranus‘ ocean depths to search for signs of life, and you have a three-way struggle for control.

Humans can’t live on the gas giants, making instead a life in orbit. Kyle Umber, a religious idealist, has built Haven, a sanctuary above the distant planet Uranus. He invites ”the tired, the sick, the poor“ of Earth to his orbital retreat where men and women can find spiritual peace and refuge from the world.

The billionaire who financed Haven, however, has his own designs: Beyond the reach of the laws of the inner planets, Haven could become the center for an interplanetary web of narcotics, prostitution, and even hunting human prey.

Meanwhile a scientist has gotten funding from the Inner Planets to drop remote probes into the “oceans” of Uranus, in search of life. He brings money and prestige, but he also brings journalists and government oversight to Haven. And they can’t have that.

©2020 Ben Bova (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Another great audiobook!!!

Another fine audio book. I have really enjoyed this author and the narrators involved. I am admittedly listening a bit out of order. Next up is the Mars series.

Don’t expect an actual conclusion.

It would be one thing if Bova still lived and was producing more stories set in this story arc. Alas, he is no more, and to my understanding, NEPTUNE covers mostly separate material. Therefore we are left with only the first act of a story here, which is unfortunate.
Much of this book feels like the opening chapters of a larger story, with many portions duplicated two or three times in order to pad it out to an acceptable length. But, honestly, not a lot happens here. People talk, and the hints of a larger story emerge, and more people talk—and then it just ends.
If not for Bova’s skills at telling this kind of story, I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. And if I’d known what I know now, I wouldn’t have started it.

The continued story line of ET possibility

At times a bit slow moving but enjoyed the different perspectives on the possibility of some ET with a hostile

All new story in a familiar universe.

Great to see the Grand Tour winding up. The story is compelling and some great new personalities to get to know and loath.

Good but not his Best

I really enjoy Ben Bova’s books. This one is my least favorite so far. I highly recommend his other books.