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A review by rbharath
Bleak by Jacqueline Druga
4.0
This is a cozy feel-good science-fiction read. The start is like in the ‘Interstellar’ movie, the Earth is becoming inhabitable with poor vegetation and frequent extreme weather conditions. A group is tasked with finding a potential new home for humankind. They are to return with their analysis, after which a team which will prepare for habitation will be sent, and they will terraform the planet if required. The similarity with ‘Interstellar’ ends here.
Reyanne Harper, a school teacher is surprised at being included as part of the group. The reason was that she had published a paper on how the Androski wormhole could be a gateway to a habitable planet. Scientists have determined that this is indeed possible and the planet Noah can be reached via this wormhole while is currently active. Space photos of Noah indicate a terrain composition of 60% water and the rest being a mix of desert and fertile land. The other members of the group on this Omni-4 mission are - Colonel Aldar Finch, Captain Curt Henning, Captain Sandra Anderson, Dr Nathan Gale and Major Ben Vonn, all with relevant space, science and medical expertise needed for such an endeavour. Another consideration in the team selection is people who do not have much to return to.
The journey through the wormhole has its risks and after a turbulent passage, the group escapes the pull of one of Noah’s moons and are overjoyed to see the beautiful planet. They land and within hours are taken aback by the huge tides which sweep water rapidly over vast distances. Noah’s moon exerts far more influence on the surface water than Earth’s moon does. The planet comes across as hostile and just maybe that caused extinction of any lifeforms that existed. Or did they happen to land on the wrong part of the planet? The next hours do indicate that this place has had or maybe still has intelligent life. And then they make a startling discovery.
This is an easy read and I loved the twist in the later part of the book. The science is broad to make it seem plausible and sustain interest without getting bogged down into details. The character development is just about adequate with only a little background to each of them.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
Look forward to the next book in the series now.
Reyanne Harper, a school teacher is surprised at being included as part of the group. The reason was that she had published a paper on how the Androski wormhole could be a gateway to a habitable planet. Scientists have determined that this is indeed possible and the planet Noah can be reached via this wormhole while is currently active. Space photos of Noah indicate a terrain composition of 60% water and the rest being a mix of desert and fertile land. The other members of the group on this Omni-4 mission are - Colonel Aldar Finch, Captain Curt Henning, Captain Sandra Anderson, Dr Nathan Gale and Major Ben Vonn, all with relevant space, science and medical expertise needed for such an endeavour. Another consideration in the team selection is people who do not have much to return to.
The journey through the wormhole has its risks and after a turbulent passage, the group escapes the pull of one of Noah’s moons and are overjoyed to see the beautiful planet. They land and within hours are taken aback by the huge tides which sweep water rapidly over vast distances. Noah’s moon exerts far more influence on the surface water than Earth’s moon does. The planet comes across as hostile and just maybe that caused extinction of any lifeforms that existed. Or did they happen to land on the wrong part of the planet? The next hours do indicate that this place has had or maybe still has intelligent life. And then they make a startling discovery.
This is an easy read and I loved the twist in the later part of the book. The science is broad to make it seem plausible and sustain interest without getting bogged down into details. The character development is just about adequate with only a little background to each of them.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
Look forward to the next book in the series now.