Reviewed by: Connor Salter, Professional Writing student at Taylor University

Introduction

Title: Oxygen (third edition) (Oxygen Series Book 1)

Author: John B. Olson, Randy Ingermanson

Publisher: Enclave Publishing

Publication Date: 2015 (originally published 2001)

Format: Paperback

Length: 405 pages

OVERVIEW

As far as future astronaut Bob Kaganovski is concerned, things are going smoothly. He’s one a four-person team training to go to Mars, if NASA doesn’t do anything to disrupt him and his team from training, things will go fine. Then NASA drops one of his teammates and brings in a replacement. Valkerie Jansen is beautiful, smart and clearly being used in some bureaucratic game. Bob has no idea how to handle this, and Valkerie doesn’t know what to think of him, either. When their ship leaves Earth and an explosion suggests someone placed a bomb onboard, the tensions only gets higher.

Generally, there are two kinds of science fiction: hard sci-fi (lots of science, less human interaction) and soft sci-fi (lots of adventure, less science). Oxygen is a fascinating hybrid between these two extremes. The authors give plenty of technical details about operating shuttles and astronaut training but balance that with engaging characters and conflicts. The plot creates the opportunity for a lot of suspense, humor, and romance. Overall, Oxygen may be the most entertaining novel readers will find with a fact-based look at space exploration.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 out of 5 stars

Suggested Audience

People who like a combination of “hard sci-fi” (detailed science, technical facts) and “soft sci-fi” (exciting adventure), people who read techno-thrillers, people interested in novels that discuss the apparent conflict between faith and science.

Christian Impact

The character in this book have various discussions about issues like evolution, faith versus science, spiritual doubts and crises.

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