George H. Smith (2) (1922–1996)

H. G. Wells’s 1898 classic has long served as fodder for other writers, from Garrett Putman Serviss’s [b:Edison's Conquest of Mars|37688173|Edison's Conquest of Mars|Garrett Putman Serviss|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1517438633s/37688173.jpg|59319656] to Alan Moore’s more recent [b:The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 2|107007|The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 2|Alan Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327904678s/107007.jpg|6156668]. George H. Smith’s show more novel is firmly in this tradition, albeit with an interesting twist: having failed in their invasion of Earth, the Martians now set their sights on Earth’s parallel world Annwn, a planet technologically similar to Earth but one in which magic enjoys a presence as well as science. Aided by a group of worshipers, the Martians inoculate themselves against the microorganisms that frustrated their previous attempt and prepare for an assault on a much larger scale. Alerted by a few figures from Earth, a small group of Annwnians mobilize to thwart this new effort, but it’s a race against time with a cool and calculated foe – and one determined to learn from their mistakes the first time around.

Smith’s novel benefits from both the novelty of its premise and the infusion of a number of interesting ideas, particularly his inspired concept of pro-Martian humans working for the destruction of their own species. The chapters describing the battles between the humans and the tripods are also excellent, conveying a sense of tension and excitement in many ways even better than Wells did in the original. Yet before readers can get to them they must wade through a considerable amount of tepid dialogue and poor characterization, particularly of the main female protagonist Clarinda McTague, whose jealousy-driven anger detracts from the story whenever she appears. The addition of the certain English detective and his medically-trained sidekick is even more questionable, especially as the conceit of disguising their identities wears thin quickly. Together these factors drag down this otherwise imaginative novel, one that squanders an otherwise interesting departure from Wells’s famous work. show less

This is a very short book of 125 pages. It takes place in the future...from guess work between 2020-2030. Man has landed on Mars and there is a small colony there but power is required to make the planet habitable. Earth is overpopulated and in dire need of power.

A company has built 2 fusion reactors of unlimited power. One in the USA and another on Mars. Suffice it to say the reactors are started to full power without proper testing. Though there are warning signs...both reactors are show more started...the one in the USA first with a major incident...A month later the one Mars is started and explodes, knocking Mars out of orbit and headed for Earth. The book also briefly talks about who should be saved and who should live

The book is really about power and glory for one man who refuses to stop the project. The brief description of the effects of Mars approaching Earth are reasonably good. There are some chuckles as you read the story though....they have visi-phones...yet the hero must type out a telegram on a typewriter. Also in a reactor emergency there is no fail-safe way of stopping the meltdown other that physically placing 6 sticks of dynamite in a strategic location and lighting a 5 minute fuse...really? :)

But that aside it is a pretty quick and enjoyable read...could have been fleshed out more for my taste though. show less

F/SF