Uranus

The Outer Planets Trilogy, Book 1

By: Ben Bova

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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.

Severe sexual violence

Story is good but long abuse arc that culminates in sadomasochistic sex attack, then written off as dream sequence, then still used as shadow over main character was WAY to graphic and grotesque and ruined the book. Loved Bovas books for years, and yes abusive men will test a sex worker as described, but it was just too graphic and ruined story for me.

Ummm

Sometimes it is easier to suspend disbelief about the *science* in a *science fiction* work — sometimes it is even sound — but in this one the science was too far off.

Bad soap opera

Most of story is a bad soap opera- more science please Do not bother rear

Nope…not this Bova novel

Longtime fan of the Bova Grand Tour series….but this one misses the mark. Two hours into the book and I just returned it for a credit refund. Very little science, and poor character “development” which stumbles into TIRESOME social/sexual awkwardness and manipulation. *yawn* Supposed “professionals” devolve into angsty “teens” maneuvering for social status.

Please…back to more science with more complex/realistic relationships and avoid the dull bed-hopping-for-status 1-dimensional characters.

Maybe Bova was eventually getting there, but my interest was waning….or maybe I just appreciate Andy Weir’s style of sci-fi more these days.

Bova’s obsession with misogynists and rapists

Bova seems to be obsessed in writing about men who feel they can bed any woman character in his stories. It’s a constant theme and very pathetic. Sometimes it’s just laughable and other times it makes you sick. Really ruins whatever decent science fiction themes he comes up with. Very dated writing. Hugo award winning ? Shouldn’t be. Narration is good for sleep.