I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review
voluntarily.
What attracted me to read The Kuiper Rogue was the book's
description. The author set the story on Saturn’s moon, Titan. I don't recall
ever reading a story set on that particular world. The concept of a large
research station, in this case, Gaia 3, got my attention and spurred me to
download and read this book. I enjoyed the story for the most part. It is a combination
of several concepts, including Hard Sci-Fi, Post Apocalyptic, Space Opera,
Thriller, and Adventure. The action starts in the very beginning and as the
story unfolds, the tension ramps up to a fever pitch.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it for those who are looking for an
entertaining story. The characters, for the most part, are believable and well
written.
Astronomer Will Vandolah, is part of a crew who live and work in a living
ecosphere known as Gaia 3. It is a delicately balanced environmental microcosm
that requires constant attention to details to sustain life. When that balance
starts to break down, numerous problems arise, and the crew works feverishly to
analyze and solve the problems. As they work, Will discovers a very large comet
moving toward Saturn. As the comet approaches, it has properties that cause
mayhem with Saturn's rings, and causing the release of deadly radiation causing
even more problems in Gaia 3.
Will finds that the object, a very long-period comet, will pass close to
Earth. In the meantime, Gaia 3's crew begin to show signs of delirium that
grows into all-out insanity as the effects of the strange radiation manifest.
The comet not only affects the people in the biosphere, but it also causes
problems with communication with Earth.
The Gaia 3 commander and what is left of the crew decide that they must
leave Titan and travel to Earth to warn them of the effects it will have on the
population.
I enjoyed the characters Schaefer created for this story. They are
developed well enough to feel like I was reading about real people.
Will is an astronomer who is searching for celestial objects, but not
having a lot of luck. Then he stumbles on to the find of enormous size, moving
through the solar system. He determines the object has come unusual properties
and, in his research, determines it is a long-period comet that has passed
through the solar system before.
Soon, he finds himself facing situations he has no previous experience
with and has to use his wit and creativity to survive and save as many of his
crew as he possibly can.
Fortunately, he has the help of his mother, Gaia 3's commander, to
help.
Margaret Vandolah seemed to be the principal character in this story,
even more so than Will. She is tough, smart, and knows her business. While the
problems mount in the station, she not only has to make sure the crew take care
of their specialties, but she also has to do a lot of improvisation and keep
those who are still functioning alive and doing their jobs. The breakdown of
the biosphere and the radiation make her tasks almost impossible, and she has
to come up with creative ways to solve the problems.
My favorite point of plot in Kuyper Rogue is the world building
the author used as the backdrop for the characters. Gaia 3 is an amazing place,
but it also depends on everyone doing their part to keep the delicate balance
needed to sustain life. If one person doesn't take care of their system, other
systems begin to breakdown and fall like dominoes.
Therefore, my takeaway from this story is how everyone needs to do their
part to protect the environment they live in. In the case of this tale, it is a
small, delicately balanced place that requires constant attention. But I think
that perhaps, the author was also addressing not only the microcosm of Gaia 3,
but he also wants the reader to think about the environment in the macrocosm of
the planet we live on.
The Kuyper Rogue is a solid and entertaining story. I think any Sci-Fi
Fan would enjoy. Part of the blurb from the back of the book describes it as a
"high-octane techno-sci-fi adventure rooted on sound, hard science. It is
a stellar showcase of the terrible power and the sublime complexity of the
human experience."
I look forward to C.P. Shaefer's future novel, Western Lights.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well, there it is...
Qapla!
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