"Ben Bova is worth checking out!"
Humanities only hope for survival remains with the ore
rich Asteroid Belt. However, the rivalry for control of
the vast richness continues between Martin Humphries and
Lars Fuchs. Martin wants to exploit the mineral wealth as
a means to make him dictator of the solar system. On the
other hand, Lars feels that there is room for everyone to
benefit and welcomes competition including from the
independent ROCK RATS, miners like him living and working
amidst the asteroid orbs. However, the antagonism between
Lars and Martin has turned even more personal and ugly as
the former has married Amanda Cunningham, a woman that the
latter obsesses to make as one of his more precious
possessions. Lars sells supplies to THE ROCK RATS, but Martin
destroys his competitor's warehouse, kills innocent rock
rats, and steals their find. He also tries to murder
Lars. A desperate Lars counters Martin's assault by
attacking his malevolent opponent's ships and bases.
Though distant from earth, mankind's latest economic battle
is turning deadly with war seemingly inevitable. THE ROCK RATS, book two of the Asteroid Wars, shows why
Ben Bova is one of science fiction's all time greats, as he
delivers an exhilarating tale that will please his fans and
those readers who relish outer space stories. The story
line is fast-paced, loaded with action, and makes life on
Ceres and elsewhere in the Asteroid Belt feel authentic in
an everyday sense. Though Martin appears a bit extreme as
a maniacal industrialist, he and the other key cast members
remain as strong as they did in the entertaining first
novel, THE PRECIPICE. Readers will enjoy this outer space
adventure. Harriet Klausner - Copyright © 2002
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 15, 2002
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