Good fast read, fairly standard plot. Brings in some nano and space themes, simplistic characters and not deep on topics. ( )

I picked this book up a long time ago. I have read some of the others in the Jupiter Novels and have read other Charles Sheffield.

This overall fell flat. We have a rich scion who starts off with his father being dead. His mother severely hurt, and he just has to pass some stupid archaic horse jumping test to be sent off to the right branch of the navy. And when he fails and is sent off to the wrong branch, he just goes along.

He has had years to prepare for this, and does not question his misfortune, which is made worse when there is an accident, which he is blamed for. He doesn't work diligently to clear his name, but just goes along on the stream, floating on by.

Sheffield throws in science to make things turn out right, and that is good in a science fiction story. What he doesn't do is give us a believable human story. Our hero is too stupid to do anything but the science part, and then as we near the end, a rabbit jumps out of a hat to save the day on a great deal of back behind the curtain maneuverings. That plot line was the great basis in the story and Sheffield didn't develop it but shortcut to a conclusion. Hence, 3 stars in the middle of the road, and never to be read again. ( )

Charles A. Sheffield was an English-born mathematician, physicist and science fiction writer who served as a President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and of the American Astronautical Society. Wikipedia Died in Silver Spring, Maryland. 4th of the Jupiter Novels