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Review Summaries
"
Tor, Oct 2001, 25.95, 349 pp.
ISBN: 0312848765
In a distant future, the planet earth is in on the brink of extinction due to the greenhouse effect leading to ecological mayhem and consequently mass starvation. The future looks nonexistent with the only glimmer of hope seemingly in outer space. Dan Randolph and Martin Humphries agree that saving planet earth depends on harvesting raw materials from other solar system orbs so that pollution would lessen on their homeworld and subsequently reduce the greenhouse effect.
The caring optimist, Dan actually believes in saving his fellow human beings while Martin wants to keep costs down so as to increase his profit even if it means destroying his home planet. Martin's goal is simple: he plans to rule over the survivors that he personally chooses to allow to live with Dan his only true obstacle to success.
Fans of Ben Bova's outer space tales will full enjoy his latest thriller THE PRECIPICE. The story line is loaded with action, but in many ways is very simplistic with Dan and Martin as two opposite extremes if they ever took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator psychological test. Though typical of Mr. Bova's science fiction theories on industrializing (environmentalists would say polluting) the solar system, the audience will relish this great author's latest this outer space thriller.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Ben Bova Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- surviving a post environmental/nuclear disaster
- preventing an ecological disaster
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow
- factions fight within govt for control
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- power source
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- 40's-50's
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- scientist
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- medium future 22-24th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a significant amount of technical jargon
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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