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curlybooks's review against another edition
1.0
This was a techno-babble lackluster mess. No real explanations about wonder device that lets them change realities...and the worst ending to a book that I've read in a long time. I was hoping to get a new sci-fi series experience (a self-published one at that) and instead I wish I had never even bothered. Harsh but true.
lauredhel's review against another edition
2.0
The germ of a good story, crushed under a massive pile of PLSS A7LB LM USMC LCGUSN TKS LEVA TLI J-2 F-108D WTFC.
justabean_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Competent alternate history, which is mostly enjoyable because of the massive amount of NASA nerdery. Though props to the author for starting the series with such an unlikable protagonist (the kind of man who thinks he's the best ever, but is clearly not someone who should be in charge of a gas station, let alone a moon base). The tech conceit was a bit handwavey, but it got the story where it was going, and I enjoyed how it unfolded.
roba's review against another edition
4.0
Yes. Excellent gripping, eerie SF thriller. It's hugely geeky about Apollo and hypersonic craft detail, which nicely balances the more speculative element of the story. There's a convincing sense of the strangeness and isolation of the moon.
A great cliffhanger, too - can't wait to read part two, which is out very soon (January 2013).
A great cliffhanger, too - can't wait to read part two, which is out very soon (January 2013).
mikewhiteman's review against another edition
4.0
This is a short novella about a group of astronauts stuck on the moon in an alternate world where the Earth was destroyed by nuclear war before they could return. They use a Nazi Wunderwaffe to move between realities to try and find an intact Earth but have been stuck there for two years and are running out of supplies.
While it is (very) heavy on the technical detail of living on the moon and Moon-Earth travel, the characters play well and their interactions show the stark range of their adjustments to their situation.
The ending felt a bit Twilight Zone-ish and groanworthy but fit the character of the protagonist. Much of the detailed worldbuilding occurs in the appended glossary and, while not necessary to the plot, it adds depth to the alternate world created.
Beyond the acronyms and mathematical discussions there is excellent character writing and the sense of isolation and holding on for a forlorn hope is powerful. Well worth an hour or so to read.
While it is (very) heavy on the technical detail of living on the moon and Moon-Earth travel, the characters play well and their interactions show the stark range of their adjustments to their situation.
The ending felt a bit Twilight Zone-ish and groanworthy but fit the character of the protagonist. Much of the detailed worldbuilding occurs in the appended glossary and, while not necessary to the plot, it adds depth to the alternate world created.
Beyond the acronyms and mathematical discussions there is excellent character writing and the sense of isolation and holding on for a forlorn hope is powerful. Well worth an hour or so to read.
imyril's review against another edition
3.0
This is likely excellent if you like well-grounded hard SF: in an alternate universe, a more advanced Apollo programme leaves astronauts stranded on the Moon when nuclear war breaks out. Luckily, they have a universe-hopping Nazi McGuffin - if they can calibrate it right, they may still make it to a home of sorts.
I loved the premise, but the novella was far more interested in Apollo tech than I am. I stopped looking up acronyms at the risk of wearing out my lookup/back buttons. Still, it’s very well executed and I’d highly recommend it if you’re a bigger fan of real science in your fiction than I am. Me, I found it rather dry and somewhat predictable, if still poignant.
I loved the premise, but the novella was far more interested in Apollo tech than I am. I stopped looking up acronyms at the risk of wearing out my lookup/back buttons. Still, it’s very well executed and I’d highly recommend it if you’re a bigger fan of real science in your fiction than I am. Me, I found it rather dry and somewhat predictable, if still poignant.
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