Mars Life

June 16, 2008
Multiple Hugo–winner Bova pens a gripping and convincing conclusion to the story begun in Mars
(1992) and Return to Mars
(1999). Jamie Waterman, who discovered cliff dwellings during his first trip to Mars, is struggling to acquire funding for continued research on the long-dead Martians, but his efforts are severely compromised by the increasing influence of religious fundamentalists. Their rise coincides with a global environmental crisis, giving the U.S. government another rationale for shifting resources away from Waterman's work. Even the discovery of a Martian fossil can't ensure the project's viability, and Waterman and his wife return to the red planet in a last-ditch effort to keep the exploration going. Bova deftly captures the excitement of scientific discovery and planetary exploration. This compelling story, balancing action and plausible political intrigue, will easily be enjoyed by both fans and newcomers.

August 15, 2008
During his first visit to Mars, Navaho archaeologist Jamie Waterman discovered evidence of cliff dwellings, indicating that intelligent life had once inhabited the Red Planet. Later, anthropologist Carter Carleton uncovers a fossil of what might be a Martian, focusing world attention on the planet. As scientists scramble to retain the funding necessary to maintain their presence on Mars, the New Morality Movement, religiously fundamentalist and rabidly anti-science, increases its hold on the reins of powerin the United States and, perhaps, throughout the world. Bova's latest addition to his Grand Tour books (e.g., "Venus") brings back familiar characters and expands on his projected future, encompassing both his hopes for continued exploration of space and his fears for the obstacles that stand in its way. A good addition to most libraries and a welcome find for Bova's many readers.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.