In the not so distant future, Earth's future survival is in jeopardy. The Great Die Off has already taken place that effected billions of the world's population. The hand full of survivors must find an energy sourse to replace the Earth's depleted supply. Tech genius, Robert Eisenbraun, joins a team of scientists in Antarctica on a mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa to mine a rare ore that would provide for this long-term energy needs. But as he and the rest of the team train under the ice shelf in preparation for the long journey, trouble erupts, and before they embark Eisenbraun is the odd man out, put into cold sleep against his will….

When he awakes he finds the ship deserted and unfunctional and the Earth bears no resemblance to the Earth he knew and he faces an enemy and a makes a friend , both of an unlikely source. The game has changed and the outcome is in his hands alone.

I have read and throughly enjoyed all of Steve Alten's books to date. Who wouldn't love a giant eons old shark? But...that is another book. Alten presents scientific realism to his his novels that not only enhance the story but makes some very interesting reading. If I had any complaint about this book. it was that it was over too soon. ( )

I found this science fiction book a little confusing in that it kept trying to be a thriller. We have geniuses, space travel, asteroids almost hitting the earth, ecological disaster, genetic modification and mutation, and a super computer artificial intelligence all mixed together. I think the thing that bothered me the most was the multiple endings, one after the other, as if the author couldn't decide how best to end the story. So we got them all. Good book for a rainy afternoon, but nothing to take very serious. ( )

I am not reviewing the book for the tour company. I did finally finish the book and it was just OK (as the two stars confirm). The writing is good. I have read other books by him and this rating is in comparison to these.

This book is a HUGE preachy book about what could happen to the world when we do not go green.

There was a lot of ludonarrative dissonance regarding the main character. The main character was betrayed as someone without any religion or spirituality. He is wrapped up in his machines. At the beginning he is someone who should not be so capable at the end of the world, at least with the running out of energy and the asteroid heading towards earth. And all of a sudden he is super survivor. He should not be able to do all that! When they get to Antarctica, again already built up as not only a non-practicing Jew but someone who does not believe in anything but the science. You don't start praying and FEELING your soul bam, no matter how much of an experience you have. It happens, sure, but it happens within reason. It was... it was discerning and frustrating.

I do not want to be preached to in science fiction. Some great authors can pull it off. Frank Herbert in his Destination: Void series, Orson Scott Card with Ender's Game... they pulled it off. This book did not pull it off. In fact... I wanted to put a hat on Oscar, I did, I am ashamed of it, but picturing him with a hat helped me finish the book.

Don't get me wrong there were some gorgeous scenes, some incredible story building but it was ruined with all the preaching and shoving of spirituality.

If you like this kind of thing you will absolutely fall in love with this book. If you are looking for a straight up sci-fi read, just take head and be forewarned. Perhaps if I expected it, I would not have had such an issue! ( )