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thatgirlinblack's review
2.0
Jupiter's moon Europa isn't just a ball of ice; it hides precious deuterium to be mined, and a new animal lifeform that roams the ice tunnels...ready to fight. While investigating ice cave carvings and discovering a new species, astronaut Vonnie loses her 2 compatriots in a cave-in and almost immediately finds herself under attack and on the run from these lifeforms, or sunfish as she calls them. Relying on her super hi-tech suit for protection and cobbling together an AI from her killed co-worker Lam to assist in decision making, Vonnie flees and fights...and falls in love with these new creatures.
She's always wanted to be an explorer and now she's discovered a new alien creature on another world, so it's understandable she's fascinated. They tried to kill her but she's one of those environmental types who magnifies all the bad in humans while advocating for every chance for animals. Plus, she thinks these are "more" than animals, that they're sentient.
After being recovered by her team, she commences advocating on behalf of the sunfish to all the countries on Earth who've sent mining, exploring, or military teams to Europa. Tense days pass wherein all countries conduct tests, send robot mecha to search the ice caverns, and haggle on Earth regarding what should be done. Their proxies on Europa are slowly learning more about the ways and even languages of the creatures. Vonnie wants to make deals with the sunfish, and she's using her AI Lam--who was left in the ice, is taking over robots sent into the ice, displays glitchy and hostile behavior, may be deranged, and is currently accepted into the sunfish tribe--as her eyes and ears. Several of her comrades and her lover keep her secrets and assist on the sly, but her bosses and their bosses and a greedy conniving co-worker make it hard to work on the sunfish's behalf. Is peace possible?
It's got a lot of action, and descriptions of things new and exiting are interesting, but there were obstacles to really enjoying this book. This is a quite science-y read casually filled with techy language, though concepts are generally well-explained. Obviously, as is common among the artificially elevated and cliqueish "science" community, religion and morality are dismissed as obsolete. Apparently they've figured "a way" to eliminate STDs and provide universal birth control, so it's free sex for all! A Christian astronaut is considered a "dumb genius" by Vonnie because of her belief. The Catholic heritage of Brazil forbids them using stem cells to speed up medical healing procedures, which Vonnie scoffs at as antiquated while she smugly accepts it herself. Just like liberals to want all the pleasure and have no consequences, and to snobbishly put down all opposing views or preferences. That is a very annoying aspect of this book, which knocked it down from 3 stars to 2.
She's always wanted to be an explorer and now she's discovered a new alien creature on another world, so it's understandable she's fascinated. They tried to kill her but she's one of those environmental types who magnifies all the bad in humans while advocating for every chance for animals. Plus, she thinks these are "more" than animals, that they're sentient.
After being recovered by her team, she commences advocating on behalf of the sunfish to all the countries on Earth who've sent mining, exploring, or military teams to Europa. Tense days pass wherein all countries conduct tests, send robot mecha to search the ice caverns, and haggle on Earth regarding what should be done. Their proxies on Europa are slowly learning more about the ways and even languages of the creatures. Vonnie wants to make deals with the sunfish, and she's using her AI Lam--who was left in the ice, is taking over robots sent into the ice, displays glitchy and hostile behavior, may be deranged, and is currently accepted into the sunfish tribe--as her eyes and ears. Several of her comrades and her lover keep her secrets and assist on the sly, but her bosses and their bosses and a greedy conniving co-worker make it hard to work on the sunfish's behalf. Is peace possible?
It's got a lot of action, and descriptions of things new and exiting are interesting, but there were obstacles to really enjoying this book. This is a quite science-y read casually filled with techy language, though concepts are generally well-explained. Obviously, as is common among the artificially elevated and cliqueish "science" community, religion and morality are dismissed as obsolete. Apparently they've figured "a way" to eliminate STDs and provide universal birth control, so it's free sex for all! A Christian astronaut is considered a "dumb genius" by Vonnie because of her belief. The Catholic heritage of Brazil forbids them using stem cells to speed up medical healing procedures, which Vonnie scoffs at as antiquated while she smugly accepts it herself. Just like liberals to want all the pleasure and have no consequences, and to snobbishly put down all opposing views or preferences. That is a very annoying aspect of this book, which knocked it down from 3 stars to 2.
ryanwhitley's review
The “in media res” style did not grab me. In addition, my willing suspension of disbelief was tried a little too hard.
archergal's review
2.0
The Frozen Sky starts off with a dramatic discovery (alien life) and a dramatic chase/escape FROM that alien life.
There's life under the frozen surface of Europa. This is a novel about discovering that life and deciding what to do about it. There's also a rogue AI, not to mention nationalistic issues and conflict between different countries doing research on Europa (i.e., politics).
I hate stories with politics like this in them. Because usually nothing is done for GOOD reasons, just for what is expedient and what can be compromised on. And these folks may have heard of a Prime Directive, but they're definitely Not Having It. I kinda hated all the characters too. :(
That said, it's a competent hard SF book. I couldn't quite visualize how the "sunfish" (what the researchers called the aliens) moved around under the frozen surface of Europa. I was also astonished by the amount of tech -- bio and non-bio -- these researchers had with them. They could replace damaged eyes and limbs, even. Wow.
All that caused a bit of a strain to my WSOD, along with how quickly they decoded the aliens' communications. Hence the low rating. :(
There's life under the frozen surface of Europa. This is a novel about discovering that life and deciding what to do about it. There's also a rogue AI, not to mention nationalistic issues and conflict between different countries doing research on Europa (i.e., politics).
I hate stories with politics like this in them. Because usually nothing is done for GOOD reasons, just for what is expedient and what can be compromised on. And these folks may have heard of a Prime Directive, but they're definitely Not Having It. I kinda hated all the characters too. :(
That said, it's a competent hard SF book. I couldn't quite visualize how the "sunfish" (what the researchers called the aliens) moved around under the frozen surface of Europa. I was also astonished by the amount of tech -- bio and non-bio -- these researchers had with them. They could replace damaged eyes and limbs, even. Wow.
All that caused a bit of a strain to my WSOD, along with how quickly they decoded the aliens' communications. Hence the low rating. :(
trumpeta19's review
4.0
Very entertaining read that uses plausible science to explore what would happen if we discovered life on other planets/moons within our own solar system. Would recommend for anyone who is interested in futuristic science books.
erickayscifi's review
3.0
I liked it, but mixed feelings on a few things.
Beginning: Great.
Ending: Satisfying.
Middle: I felt like I was just pushing through. Didn't care for the political stuff. Space is huge people, why land near each other and mess up one another's base? Just land somewhere else and do your own thing.
Enjoyed Vonnie and Lam and their interaction.
Beginning: Great.
Ending: Satisfying.
Middle: I felt like I was just pushing through. Didn't care for the political stuff. Space is huge people, why land near each other and mess up one another's base? Just land somewhere else and do your own thing.
Enjoyed Vonnie and Lam and their interaction.
mmadans's review
3.0
Enjoyed the first contact element if this story and overall this had a number of entertaining SF elements. I found myself not liking the main character at times and found the political elements distracting.
dancarey_404's review
2.0
I imagine this was better in its original novella length. This version just struck me as somewhat overly padded. Cool aliens, though.
starshipengineer's review
5.0
A truly unique and thought-provoking look at First Contact. The characters are fun and the technology futuristic, but both ultimately serve the real stars of this book, the fictional sunfish and the Big Ideas behind them. Ranks right up with my other favorites of the alien contact subgenre, 'Blindsight' and 'The Mote in God's Eye'. Easily one of my favorite novels in the broader range of science fiction as well.
realboatsrock's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good read. First contact stories are always interesting from a humanist perspective -- inevitable questions are raised about the place of humanity in the greater scheme of life. Frozen Sky does this well through the introduction of a truly alien form of life, one that is not bound by typically human-centric philosophy. Refreshing!
My only complaint is that the middle section of the book drags as human politics are infused into the first contact story. Of course, this is just a matter of personal preference ... I simply do not want to read in-depth about politics and conflicts against the background of a first contact story.
That said -- I recommend this book to any fans of first contact or science fiction books in general. Exciting/Entertaining/Thought-provoking/Unique!
My only complaint is that the middle section of the book drags as human politics are infused into the first contact story. Of course, this is just a matter of personal preference ... I simply do not want to read in-depth about politics and conflicts against the background of a first contact story.
That said -- I recommend this book to any fans of first contact or science fiction books in general. Exciting/Entertaining/Thought-provoking/Unique!