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Oxygen(Oxygen Series,Book One)By John B. Olsen and Randy Ingermanson
I purchased the book Oxygen for two reasons one of those being to read the bit at the end with tips for Authors. I've no idea if the copy other people get will have the same. Another reason was that it looked as though it would be a good Science Fiction read. It was.
I want to thank the authors for a very good read. I read the story first knowing the part at the end could have some spoilers. Part of the stuff in the back was how they came across their idea and how they edited it and how they pitched the idea to the publisher. All of that I have learned to take with a grain of salt especially when people start using buzz wordy things such as High Concept. That they thought that this was the time to focus on the Red Planet would almost make sense except we've been focused on that since long before Edgar Rice Burroughs gave us John Carter of Mars.
This book is good science fiction and there has been at least some attempt at rising above the usual level that (pure or hard) science (fiction) settles at. What I mean by that is that in many (pure or hard)SF the science becomes the driving force of these novels (almost like the science is the protagonist) and the characters take back seat becoming cardboard entities that point and explain the science. Cardboard like that image floating to the ground in the opening of the movie Making Mr. Right. Thankfully this story is about the people.
Of course with today's sometimes bad press with the public lives of the people in the space program it's not too far fetched to see that this novel become peopled with a few quirky gems. We have everything from the paranoid to glory seeker to the super secretive. One would almost expect with all that against us we would have trouble getting things off the ground. Team work is important here and I'm not sure these people would always be considered team players.
Yet there is that element in life and so it might figure even into a good Science Fiction novel, though some might argue that in some respects the writers should shun certain attempts a making their characters too real. After all we need the heroes and the ones we can look up to, unless the idea is to write a bit of over-dramatic scripted Reality TV.
There are moments when the author's tend to go overboard with the paranoia and over-dramatic. I believe they try to keep it balanced for the most part and it's much better than trying to believe the space travelers are all going to be flesh and blood robots who always get along. It's difficult though and sometimes it looks like the human element is where things fail rather than the science when in reality a lot of drama in space has been in little things in the technology that goes awry.
The story begins with Valkerie- working too close to an active volcano- trying to get research data at the risk to her life.We switch to Bob Kaganovski working with NASA and a few friends-getting ready to man a flight to Mars. Something is going down and Bob's almost certain he's being replaced on the project. Meanwhile Valkerie is saved by Steve Perez and Roger Abrams-she later learns they are from NASA. Eventually she'll find out that she's someones replacement.
That's already a formula for competitiveness, suspicion and paranoia and its only the beginning.
For the most part the various people in the story are believable. Even most of the situations that occur through misinformation or lack of information seem plausible. One would like to think the people at these agencies are just a bit more together than that. Truth has proven that there are still glitches on the human side while trying to act out the part of near robots when things go wrong we don't often know how everyone will react.
The writing seems solid. I didn't check all the facts, but the science is believable.
One thing worth mentioning is that the authors made use of the same plot trick of another of my favorite authors. I suppose that this could be coincidental, though it would mean that neither author has read a lot of Robert Heinlein's stuff, there's a plot point that drives this story. This could be a spoiler so just be aware;
This plot point is very similar to the plot of The Man Who Sold the Moon by Robert Heinlein. After reading this book if you have not read TMWSTM; check it out and see.
It boils down to the simple economics of having a reason to travel in space. Something to help drive the funding of research and development.
Oxygen is pretty good stuff; barring the overtly B movie paranoia moments. A pleasure to read for Science Fiction and Fantasy lovers with a little for anyone who is interested in the science parts.
On a side note: This is published under a Christian label, but is not a hardline Christian story- it's more progressive- science rational. I think the religion is left for the thinking reader to work out.
J.L. Dobias
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Customers say
Customers find this science fiction novel engaging, with a well-developed storyline that pulls readers along and features unexpected plot twists. The book maintains good pacing with non-stop action, and customers appreciate its realistic scientific elements and strong Christian themes. They praise the writing quality, with one customer noting the thorough research, and find it easy to read.
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74 customers mention content, 69 positive, 5 negative
...It stayed exciting and suspenseful till the very end! Great book, I will definitely recommend it to others!Read more
This is a good read. Every part of fiction is covered in this story. Well written, researched, twisted and turned, and brought together nicely.Read more
Good story line, character development, interaction, and suspenseful. Absolutely held my attention from start to finish....Read more
...This is a page turner with plenty of cliff hangers and twists....Read more
34 customers mention story, 30 positive, 4 negative
...I'm glad I went back and picked it up and finished it. Great story, great characters and a wonderful ending....Read more
I enjoyed the story and that is what counts....Read more
I loved the book. Great action and a great ending....Read more
I loved the story, it was written in a very fluid manner. I got drawn into the characters pretty quickly....Read more
28 customers mention character development, 26 positive, 2 negative
An outstanding book. I could not put it down. The characters were well developed and the plot kept my attention to the end....Read more
Character development, check. Tension. Check. Interesting subject matter. Check. Looking forward to reading the next book to find out how it all ends.Read more
...Good character development and non-stop action. I enjoyed it.Read more
...The plot is fantastic and the writing is just as good. The characters are interesting. There is mystery, suspense, plot twists....Read more
26 customers mention writing quality, 25 positive, 1 negative
This is a good read. Every part of fiction is covered in this story. Well written, researched, twisted and turned, and brought together nicely.Read more
Very well written, with characters you respect and can root for. Great steady pace throughout. Already bought the next one!Read more
This is a well-written story that stays quite close to what might and actually could happen when NASA puts together a mission to Mars.Read more
Contemporary sci-fi, with very well-written and researched science. Lots of delicious suspense....Read more
23 customers mention readability, 23 positive, 0 negative
A great read! Despite all the technobabble, the story is easy to understand and moves along at a fast pace. Easy to get caught up in the plot!...Read more
Excellent read. On the edge of your seat, not stop action. Thank you to the writes for such a wonderful book. My God inspire you to keep on writing.Read more
A very fluid, enjoyable read that keeps your interest.Read more
...Oxygen was a fantastic read....Read more
21 customers mention pacing, 16 positive, 5 negative
...Good character development and non-stop action. I enjoyed it.Read more
Oxygen has a clever and intelligent plot and is full of action and adventure. The authors also take the time to develop some great characters....Read more
Oxygen left me needing more! Oxygen that is! Fast-paced, exciting, twists, turns, and YES, I just downloaded the sequel seconds after finishing!...Read more
The book started out a little slow and I almost stopped reading, but I'm glad I continued....Read more
21 customers mention science fiction, 20 positive, 1 negative
...If you like astronauts or rockets or a good science fiction or a good people-story - heck, if you like to read, then read this book!Read more
...This is excellent science fiction....Read more
Great Science Fiction -- Not So Great RomanceRead more
...Do you know what makes good sci-fi? Good science. This book is GOOD sci-fi, taken right out of current news from NASA....Read more
17 customers mention plot, 16 positive, 1 negative
One of the best books I have ever read. So many twists and turns that you never know what is going to happen next. Very well written....Read more
...The characters are interesting. There is mystery, suspense, plot twists. I couldn’t put it down. If you liked Apollo 13, you’ll love this.Read more
This book was very well put together.I love the mystery. A scifi classic for this generation. I regimens it to all.Read more
Oxygen left me needing more! Oxygen that is! Fast-paced, exciting, twists, turns, and YES, I just downloaded the sequel seconds after finishing!...Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2012
- Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2014
Top reviews from other countries
- Bass ManReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2014
A great story, not perfect but worth 5 stars
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- leksastReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2014
with decent science (people who have read this book will find the film Gravity hilariously idiotic, as I did
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