Well, since I’m on a book review roll here, I might as well review another book I read this summer (mostly on the train to and from Oslo). “Pushing Ice” is one of the books by Alastair Reynolds who does not take place in the Revelation Space universe. It was published in 2005.
Summary: The story revolves around the crew on the mining vessel Rockhopper who’s job it is to mine comets for resources. On a mission their orders are changed. One of the moons of Saturn, Janus, has broken off and is accelerating away into interstellar space! Rockhopper takes up the pursuit in an attempt to find out what or who is doing this, and it soon becomes apparent that Janus is not a moon after all. At least not one made of rock. The is an intriguing collection of interpersonal conflicts, the birth of a new society, strange alien encounters and a struggle to grasp the relativistic effects like time dilation. What has happened to humanity while they were on their way?
This book was very hard to put down. It is the first of Reynolds books I’ve read (the other two are on my iPod). It’s the kind of story where you just have to read the next chapter. In the end I felt that the story was a bit rushed towards a conclusion. Although the prologue and epilogue are a brilliant wrapping of the story that I personally greatly enjoyed. I see a potential book just from what’s outlined there. I also understand that there are plans for a follow-up of this book too, which may account for the somewhat sudden end to this one. I look forward to it.
