Diving into the Wreck

Diving Series, Book 1

By: Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Boss loves to dive historical ships, derelict spacecraft found adrift in the blackness between the stars. Sometimes she salvages for money, but mostly she's an active historian. She wants to know about the past - to experience it firsthand. Once she's dived the ship, she'll either leave it for others to find or file a claim so that she can bring tourists to dive it as well. It's a good life for a tough loner, with more interest in artifacts than people.

Then one day, Boss finds the claim of a lifetime: an enormous spacecraft, incredibly old, and apparently Earth-made. It's impossible for something so old, built in the days before Faster Than Light travel, to have journeyed this far from Earth. It shouldn't be here. It can't be here. And yet, it is. Boss's curiosity is up, and she's determined to investigate. She hires a group of divers to explore the wreck with her, the best team she can assemble. But some secrets are best kept hidden, and the past won't give up its treasures without exacting a price in blood. What Boss finds could rewrite history, cost lives, and start an intergalactic war.

©2009 Kristine Kathryn Rusch (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Rusch delivers a page-turning space adventure while contemplating the ethics of scientists and governments working together on future tech." (Publisher's Weekly)
"This is classic sci-fi, a well-told tale of dangerous exploration....Compellingly human and technically absorbing, the suspense builds to fevered intensity, culminating in an explosive yet plausible conclusion." (Romantic Times)

"Jennifer Van Dyck has a bright and lively voice, and she narrates at a quick pace. The story is a good old-fashioned space opera, but Van Dyck gives it some weight, turning it into a thoughtful look at history and what it can mean to individuals." (AudioFile)

Compelling

Though I didn't much care for the first person perspective, it does allow the author to quickly explain and jump over parts that would otherwise be boring, but necessary. Although the book does appear to jump in places, it's compelling to read through and all the loose ends get tied up. Jennifer Van Dyck gives the main character a particularly competent feel.

good sci fi

if you liked her Retrival Artist series you will like this
a different world -- the story is great sci fi
listen and enjoy

Amazing Listen

I really liked the whole plot line and theme of this book. I thought that it was a little hard to relate to the main character at some points, but still thought that she was believable and interesting. The narrator in this book is one of the best of all of the books I've listened to on audible, which makes it even better.
Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes science fiction. One of my new favorites!

moody, interesting story that sucks you in

What did you like best about Diving into the Wreck? What did you like least?

I liked the universe that was evoked here. It was rather different than many space opera universeses. Interesting twists: abandoned space stations, single person tugs, the backdrop of an old war that people had survived.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

A movie would be really cool! I am not sure how the special effects could be done for some of the events here, but it would be very intersting to see.

Wonderful new World

I just finished the Anivuary Day series and some of the Retrival Artist books and decided to try this one. This is just as good.

interesting book

I'm a big fan of the Retrieval Artist novels, so was interested in this new book (and new world) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I found it difficult to get into at first: the book is broken into 3 parts and the first part felt like it could have been (or at one time was) a short story that was converted into a novel. However, once I got past my confusion and discomfort with how the book was structured, I was able to enjoy the story. The narrator is fairly good, though some of the accents seemed off. Overall, if this turns into a series (as I believe the ending implies it will), I will pick up the next book to see how the story continues.

Addictive

What did you love best about Diving into the Wreck?

The story - it is thrilling and fascinating

What did you like best about this story?

It did build up tp a quite exciting level - and kept it going vithout ever being boring or tedious

What about Jennifer Van Dyck’s performance did you like?

Her ability to use her voice and reading speed to force the listener to REALLY listen

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book is slightly humorous but not something that created extreme reactions

Any additional comments?

I did expect to use it as night listening before I fell asleep - but the story and Van Dycks reading made me listen fascinated instead. Its a book for daytime listening!

Scubadiving... in space.

The overall story and naration was quite good, I like the retrieval artist novels so took a chance. The characters are nice and if you're looking for some adventure you'll find it.

What makes me stop at three out of five is the weird choice of driving part of the plot with very advanced interstellar and then limiting 'dives' by running out of air in 60 minutes. Even today's EVAs on ISS and Shuttle missions last for 7 or 8 hours. All in all, it feels like the book was written while learning to scuba dive.

Enjoyable nonetheless, recommended.

Interesting story

I like this sub genre where stories are far in the future exploring the past which is still out future. Like McDermott's Alex Benedict books this type of story reveals the "past" while telling the story. I still McDermott better so far but this was entertaining. The protagonists were not as intriguing but I have only read this one in the series so I will have to read a few more. Jennifer can Dyck is one of my favorite narrators so that did make this enjoyable as well. I associate her so much with Chase that it took me a little to get used to her in a new voice.

Not so easy

If you could sum up Diving into the Wreck in three words, what would they be?
Chilling understanable thrilling

Who was your favorite character and why?
Boss, She was a unwlling hero thrusted in to the role by her father.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Van Dyck’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No this was my first.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I don't scare easly. This book sent chills through my entire body when the father and son were on the ship.

Any additional comments?
This book made me fall in love with the authors work. That woman can write.