I'm a sucker for novels about interstellar exploration so Spindrift is right up my alley. Maybe it covers some familiar territory but it's still an entertaining story of first contact. It's set in the same world as Allen Steele's popular Coyote trilogy so if you're already a fan, you'll enjoy revisiting his complex universe and if you haven't read the previous books, like me, you can still enjoy this one.
Fifty-six years ago, on June 1, 2288 the first starship, the EASS Galileo, departed Earth. The purpose of the maiden voyage was to investigate an unidentified object, code named Spindrift, traveling outside the solar system. The ship disappeared and all were presumed lost.
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On February 1, 2344 three people return in the Galileo's shuttle, the Maria Celeste. They are the only survivors and they have not aged a day. Even more disturbing, they have made contact with extraterrestrial beings and witnessed an apocalyptic force in the galaxy.
Ted Harker is First Officer of the EASS Galileo, and Emily Collins is an ESA Lieutenant in command of the shuttle Maria Celeste. Jared Ramirez, a former astrobiologist, was imprisoned for life on a penal colony, convicted of crimes against humanity but was released to serve on this mission. It's up to Director General John Shillinglaw to figure out the puzzle as the survivors tell their stories.
The book starts by revealing the end, when the survivors return, so the mystery is in the journey. We learn about the politics and intrigue that went into setting up the mission and the mistakes made by the incompetent captain that contributed to losing communication with Earth. And most interesting is how the three surviving crew members make contact with the aliens.
Some of the characters are stereotypes but overall they're believable and the dialogue rings true. The story is entertaining and the technology and scientific concepts are well integrated into the plot. It's a good escape and a look at what the future of space travel may have in store for mankind.
Publisher: Ace (April 2007)
ISBN-13: 978-0441014712
Pages: 368
Price: .95
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