• New Earth

  • The Grand Tour, Book 18
  • By: Ben Bova
  • Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
  • Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (771 ratings)

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New Earth  By  cover art

New Earth

By: Ben Bova
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
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Publisher's summary

We’ve found another Earthlike planet, but what secrets does it hold?

The entire world is thrilled by the discovery of a new, Earthlike planet. Advance imaging shows that the planet has oceans of water and a breathable, oxygen-rich atmosphere. Eager to learn more, an exploration team is soon dispatched to explore the planet, now nicknamed New Earth.

All the explorers understand that they are essentially on a one-way mission. The trip takes 80 years each way, so even if they are able to get back to Earth, nearly 200 years will have elapsed. They will have aged only a dozen years thanks to cryonic suspension, but their friends and family will be gone, and the very society they once knew will have changed beyond recognition. The explorers are going into exile, and they know it. They are on this mission not because they were the best available but because they were expendable.

Upon landing, the team discovers something unexpected: New Earth is inhabited by a small group of intelligent creatures who look very much like human beings. Who are these people? Are they native to this world or invaders from elsewhere? While they may seem inordinately friendly to the human explorers, what are their real motivations? What do they want?

Moreover, the scientists begin to realize that this planet cannot possibly be natural. They face a startling and nearly unthinkable question: Could New Earth be an artifact?

©2013 Ben Bova (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

What listeners say about New Earth

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    414
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    76
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    30
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Performance
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    89
  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting plot, dated and simplistic writing.

Interesting plot, dated and simplistic writing. This book reads like it was written in the 1950s not 2013. Think Ring World. I like cute women as much as the next guy, but despite a token effort to include women with actual roles, all female characters remained undeveloped sex object accessories to the end. Every description it women was about their attractiveness. Also unmalicious use of national stereotypes occurred at multiple points. I thought this was supposed to be an adult book, but I think it would be suitable for 12 year olds. It wasn't without merit, I got to the end and was happy to read, but no masterpiece at all I'm afraid.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not my thing

This book has a message that I agree with but it felt really heavy handed in its delivery. I felt like I was being brow beaten for quite a bit of the listen. The characters seemed somewhat flat and occasionally annoying and the story felt rushed. For example, The main character who arrives on a new planet, finds the perfect woman and they area happily a couple by day #2 !? I mean.. come on, even Kirk didn't work this fast!. :) There should have been more of a buildup and some more time given to the characters to make you feel anything for them.There are a couple scientists that are so hardheaded when the "truth" starts to be revealed that I find them unbelievable and their conversion happens in the speed of turning on a lightbulb. Theres a secondary distracting storyline that takes place on or near earth thats dont really contribute to the plot, and felt should have been left out for the most part. The performance was done very well I just wish he had better material to read.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I wanted more to happen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. I've been needing a new author to dive into, and I'm not completely turned away from Bova.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I liked the fork of the species. I would have liked more characterization (or even a sequel) about the new earth inhabitants. I'd like more about their culture. It's like there was a great framework for a story...and then...no story.

Did Stefan Rudnicki do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, I did like the characters. The main squeeze wasn't believable though.

Could you see New Earth being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It is a great premise for a TV series. But every episode would have to invent a new plot.

Any additional comments?

Neat idea, elaborate on it. The story ended before it began.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointed in Ben Bova!

What disappointed you about New Earth?

We travel eight light year to encounter more humans...really?!?

What was most disappointing about Ben Bova’s story?

This is the author who brought us "Jupiter" and "Leviathan" so the aliens presented in this story are a big disappoinment for me.

What three words best describe Stefan Rudnicki’s voice?

His narration is fine as always.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

I am a big Ben Bova Fan, but this is not an example of his best work.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Sci-Fi Story of the Grand Tour series

Any additional comments?

Unforgettable sci-fi novel that kept me reading! Like the space explorers, I had to find out more and more about the alien species. I am glad I was able to switch between reading and listening to the outstanding professional narration,w or else everything in my daily life would have been on hold, while I was totally engrossed in this wonderful book. By all means, this is a five star read! I highly recommend it. Ben Nova's novels are getting bigger and better with each new release.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Charles Darwin Meets Algore and Carl Marx

This was a pretty good science fiction novel despite the author buying the communist lie of human caused climate change.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A new start or an ambush

What made the experience of listening to New Earth the most enjoyable?

Two things, first the flow of the story and the true to life characters. Second was the excellent reader.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Irish scientist, he portrayed the true Irish attitude to life and problems, for example, he was willing to allow himself to be connected to the machine. He was prepared to "have a go".

Which scene was your favorite?

When Jordon spoke to the predecessor.

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

No, but I just had to listen to every minute.

Any additional comments?

Ben Bova has scored another goal and won the match with this excellent book, Stefan Radnicki combined are just the right combination. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to all.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Was hopeing for something better

Any additional comments?

This is the only Bova book I did not like, I did finish it though

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

New earth isn't why you expect

First and foremost the story works slowly, which in no way is a drawback in this case. As the plot unfolds it dose well to keep you wondering what is going to happen and once or twice will leave you scratching your head. All in all a good time with excellent narration

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Somewhat enjoyable, read

I listen to this prequel, hoping to get the background information to make the total story enjoyable. The story moved along and had some interesting science-fiction concepts.
But there were some big distractors. The first was that the scientists discover a New World but are too stupid to Ask any questions that would be happily answered immediately by the aliens. Scientist proceeded to fumble around, complaining and whining until one of them decides to do their job and ask some questions. Second thing I didn’t enjoy about it was the premise was all based on man stupidity about global warming. It felt like a woke lesson to be learned. Which, of course it was. Still not a bad book, Unlike the next book in the series, which was terrible.

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