Review: Saturn Run by John Sandford and Ctein

Title: Saturn Run
Author: John Sandford and Ctein
Pages: 486
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction
Source: Free ARC from Penguin Group Putnam via NetGalley

Rating: B+

Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Penquin Group Putnam via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review (and trust me, honest is always what you’ll get).

Summary: It’s the year 2066, the US discovers evidence of other intelligent life out by Saturn and races to get a crew out there before China can beat them to it. Even though we’ve never even been to Mars. 😉

Review: Having recently enjoyed The Martian, and having never read John Sandford before (but very much wanting to), Saturn Run was a pretty obvious choice. Plus, getting it as a free galley for review didn’t hurt. 😉

But I digress…What do The Martian and Saturn Run have in common? Space exploration beyond anything we’ve been able to accomplish so far, which basically means experimental science, which means near disasters that must constantly be averted and a lot of unknowns. Also, science jargon. Well, science jargon as it relates to interplanetary spaceflight. Other than that? Nothing.

While The Martian is primarily focused on the survival of one person, it is very much a story focused on the human experience. Saturn Run is an adventure. It has all the uncertainty and danger, but adds a much more political bent, and generally comments more on the competitive nature of our species and the lengths which we’ll go to be the first, to be the best, to hold the power. And, of course, it assumes the existence of other intelligent life, so that’s exciting.

The pace isn’t exactly thrillerish, the feeling of suspense could perhaps have been a bit more heightened, and there was one death in particular that could have perhaps been a bit more emotional, but overall it was a really enjoyable read. In fact, I recommended that my non-reader husband try out the audiobook (for whom this is maybe his third audiobook ever) because I think it would be right up his alley.

A fun, interesting, thought-provoking, informative read (because science) that I’d definitely recommend, even to my non-science fiction loving friends.

 

2 Replies to “Review: Saturn Run by John Sandford and Ctein”

    • Thank you! No idea how this comment fell through the cracks, but I appreciate your visit and the nomination! Now it appears I have some work to do. 😉

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