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The Fated Sky  By  cover art

The Fated Sky

By: Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
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Publisher's summary

Mary Robinette Kowal continues the grand sweep of alternate history begun in The Calculating Stars. The Fated Sky looks forward to 1961, when mankind is well established on the moon and looking forward to its next step: journeying to, and eventually colonizing, Mars.

Of course the noted Lady Astronaut Elma York would like to go, but there’s a lot riding on whoever the International Aerospace Coalition decides to send on this historic - but potentially very dangerous - mission. Could Elma really leave behind her husband and the chance to start a family to spend several years traveling to Mars? And with the civil rights movement taking hold all over Earth, will the astronaut pool ever be allowed to catch up, and will these brave men and women of all races be treated equitably when they get there?

This gripping look at the real conflicts behind a fantastical space race will put a new spin on our visions of what might have been.

©2018 Mary Robinette Kowal (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Fated Sky

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

Not nearly as good as book one

Too much interpersonal and social drama with very little actual science. I would categorize this book as a romance novel more than science fiction.
Still, it was "OK enough" to try the third book with hopes of a return to the themes of book one.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Even better than the first.

An incredible book. The first book in this series was excellent. The second book is somehow even better. I'm jumping into the next book as soon as possible! Do yourself a favor and read this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

As Brilliant as the First

The author's performance kicks an already stellar story into an incredible listening experience. I loved the mix of alternate history, historical technology, and science fiction. This series has so much worthwhile to say, with endearing characters, action, comedy, and moments of incredible tension.
I can't wait for Book 3.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Cool alternate reality

I really liked this series. It felt very real. The narration was good. This is like The Right Stuff combined with the Martian.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An excellent story from a unique perspective

The doctors York have their characters expanded excellently. The lady astronaut is a supremely compelling character!
The performance from the author bring out the real depth and emotion of the characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

A beautiful and real feeling book with full bodied characters and inspiring imagination. A must read!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An intrepid adventure to another world!!!

like the calculating stars before it The Fated Sky will take you away from Earth's grasp and now bring you to face the yet unexplored realities of interplanetary travel. Mary Robinette Kowal's work was at every step more surprising than the step before. I thought I would be ready for the journey to the red planet following my time spent following the Lady Astronaut on her way to the Moon but Mary Robinette Kowal proved that even the most well planned journey bears untold troubles and she demonstrates this with an approach as elegant as Emma York's calculations.

If you have not read or heard this series I cannot think of a better recommendation for your next book. And if you have, another read or listen may not go amiss.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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love it

I love this book and the whole series. I have purchased them all, and can't stop listening at every chance possible!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

Quite a treat to have the writer and the performer as one fantastic package. Lovely series.

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    5 out of 5 stars

yes yes yes

even better than the first book in the series going to book three now, bye

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