Ark - Stephen Baxter

Ark

ByStephen Baxter

  • Release Date: 2010-05-04
  • Genre: High Tech Sci-Fi
Score: 4
4
From 154 Ratings

Description

It's the year 2030. The oceans have risen rapidly, and soon the entire planet will be submerged. But the discovery of another life-sustaining planet light years away gives those who remain alive hope. Only a few will be able to make the journey-Holle Groundwater is one of the candidates. If she makes the cut, she will live. If not, she will be left to face a watery death...

Reviews

  • Spectacular novel

    5
    By David Reff
    The science was fascinating, the characters beautifully developed, and the story captivating. I would love a sequel.

  • Good Space Based Sci-fi is Back

    5
    By LIG4CRS
    This was a very easy read and captivated me from the beginning. In many ways it reminded me of the Arthur C Clark novel Songs from Distant Earth, which I loved and read back in the early 1980s. Greta job Mr. Baxter!

  • Ark

    1
    By cjnbooks
    What a disappointment!! There was way to much scientific mumbo-jumbo, there were so many characters that at times it was hard to remember them all, and it was dark and gloomy. When I read fiction I want a story to entertain me, let me escape from my world, and one that has an overall happiness or feel-good ending!

  • good execution

    3
    By Vettechadam
    this was a good book. read it over labor day weekend. Only thing is there were a couple fatal errors but all in all it was good

  • One of the better books I've read In a while.

    5
    By PhiliChez
    The story was exciting and easy to appreciate. It wasn't entirely realistic but it was exciting and easy to read. It was very enjoyable. I wish others would understand that it's fiction and appreciate the thought put into it.

  • Ark- great read.

    5
    By Wmcdonaldiii
    Fun and wonderful story. Fastest book I have ever read. Could not put it down. Baxter wins-again

  • Sadly not thought through

    2
    By Zephyrdog229
    Disingenuous plot structures with gaping holes in the realism that would've doomed any remotely realistic program based on the rough outline or actual scenario. the lack of thoughtful consideration of the life-support systems and micro gravity impacts of a real world approach to what any remotely serious sci fi fan should expect leaves a hollow shell of a story-line that's not well thought out full of pathetic absurdities. SAD...

  • This is one of the best books I've ever read. There, I said it.

    5
    By SkewUp
    (Edit:) It should be noted that this is the second book in a presumably ongoing series, the first being Flood. I personally read them out of order, not knowing this book wasn't stand-alone, and didn't find myself clueless as to the preceding circumstances or characters' relationships. That being said, if you haven't read the first book, Flood, then consider not reading the last edit (the final paragraph) in this review, as it may be a spoiler for Flood. (End edit.)

    There is a single line of thought traced out over three pages that will forever influence the way I perceive and consider the place of humanity in the inconceivable vastness of the universe. Even if the rest of the book weren't superb, which it is beyond doubt, I would find it incredibly easy to recommend this book to all of my thinking friends for those three pages alone, for the chance to have their thoughts of the world forever shifted.

    Generally, though, Ark is full to the brim of great suspense, arousing drama, plausible technology, fabulous character and plot development, and thoughtful considerations about human nature and how we might forge that into a future. There's little more that you could ask for in a great sci-fi book. It also tackles impossible existential and ethical questions we've been dealing with since the birth of language and thought. All in all, this book is really a must-read, despite how often that cliché is used just to sell a book. You must read it.

    (Edit:) I think a very brief defense is in order considering the two very negative reviews. First, of course it's improbable; it's science fiction. Baxter offers a creative and intelligent solution to a particular, unlikely problem that is, in many ways, strongly akin to the encroachment of the systematic (domino effect) failure of biosystems that is suspected to bring humanity to a similar survivalistic state in the near or distant future. Second, yes, this book does not necessarily provide a distinct and conclusive ending to the saga thus far. As I noted in the first edit (the first paragraph) above, this is the second book in a presumably ongoing series. Ark does contain a strong and significant ending, but doesn't tie everything up perfectly as there is likely to be at least one more book to follow in this series. After all, there are other elements and paths that Baxter seemed to leave intentionally unexplored, as another reviewer noted in a previous iBooks review of Ark. (End edit.)

  • Awful

    1
    By Buxtahuda
    Awful. Improbable situation, impossible premise.

  • No ending

    1
    By DWRoth
    Three paths for humanities survival. Do any of them work? You won't find out from this book :) we do find out that rich dad's daughters are selfish and do everything for their own benefit. Not worth it.

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