What do you think?
Star Svensdotter #1
Second Star
This story of the completion of an L-5 space colony describes the obstacles faced during construction, such as the interference of aliens and sabotage
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
About the author
Dana Stabenow
87 books2,219 followersDana Stabenow was born in Anchorage and raised on 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 29, 2011
As usual in a Dana Stabenow story, the characters make the story enjoyable in Second Star. There were a couple of things that bugged me a bit: the characters had to work too hard to explain what things were for and who people are. I hate when characters say things to each other so that the reader knows what's going on that people would never actually say in real life. I would never say to my daughter, "When your dad gets home from working at Push Hard Lumber, where he has worked for eleven years, we'll eat dinner." There's a little of that going on in Second Star, which leads to my second criticism - the whole thing is just a bit too technical. It's set on a man-made habitat orbiting the Earth (or Terra, as it is called in the story), so there must be some technical jargon. But when the jargon disrupts the story it's a distraction and that happened a couple of times.
All criticism aside, it is not a bad book. It entertained me on a road trip. I continued thinking about it for a couple of days after I finished reading it. Should I happen across the second book in the series I'd read it.
All criticism aside, it is not a bad book. It entertained me on a road trip. I continued thinking about it for a couple of days after I finished reading it. Should I happen across the second book in the series I'd read it.
January 24, 2015
I gave this book a shot on the word of an Alaskan friend who's a fan of Stabenow's work - though I think she likes the mysteries, not this stuff. Maybe those are better. I certainly hope so, because this book just wavers back and forth between 'mediocre' and 'terrible', and even for a first novel it strikes me as weak.
The one strength of the novel - despite Stabenow's introduction explaining that she was worried most about getting it wrong - is actually the scientific research that went into it; even when I couldn't follow it all, and even though it was often dished out in infodumps, it was clear that she'd put a lot of time and energy into getting the tech right, or at least logical. It is also abundantly clear that she didn't want to leave much of that out of the reader's sight - hence the infodumps.
This book's primary writing flaw is one of 'too much of a good thing': in this case, straightforwardness. Too many infodumps on tech or people; characters who are similarly straightforward and uncomplicated, as nuanced as cardboard cutouts. Stabenow makes an effort to have a diverse cast, which is nice, but it goes little further than food/accent/looks. There is little sense of 'culture' to this book except for Star's - which is, of course, the secular Alaskan Libertarian-ness with which she (and at a guess, Stabenow) was raised.
Then there's the 'romance'. Honestly, this is also a problem with Star's character - in that the 'romance' arc undercuts her characterization at critical points. For someone brusque, professional, in control and strict, she never chastises her love interest (who is also her employee) for his forward behavior when they've only known each other for days. He brazenly flirts with her and touches her, and she barely even responds, let alone point out how unprofessional his behavior is. Whether it's welcome is one thing - Star's character as it's established doesn't seem to be one that would permit this guy's behavior, and yet she does. In fact, she tolerates his repeated violations of her rules and orders, and even praises him for some of them. His behavior, to her, is above reproach. To me, as a reader, it was completely out of line. He picked her up and shook her when she criticized him for making a rash decision. What the fuck?
I'm guessing by the fact that this book 'sank without a trace' according to the author bio (what a terrible decision to include that in end of the book in question) that this isn't representative of Stabenow's entire body of work, but damn if it doesn't make me less inclined to find out any time soon.
The one strength of the novel - despite Stabenow's introduction explaining that she was worried most about getting it wrong - is actually the scientific research that went into it; even when I couldn't follow it all, and even though it was often dished out in infodumps, it was clear that she'd put a lot of time and energy into getting the tech right, or at least logical. It is also abundantly clear that she didn't want to leave much of that out of the reader's sight - hence the infodumps.
This book's primary writing flaw is one of 'too much of a good thing': in this case, straightforwardness. Too many infodumps on tech or people; characters who are similarly straightforward and uncomplicated, as nuanced as cardboard cutouts. Stabenow makes an effort to have a diverse cast, which is nice, but it goes little further than food/accent/looks. There is little sense of 'culture' to this book except for Star's - which is, of course, the secular Alaskan Libertarian-ness with which she (and at a guess, Stabenow) was raised.
Then there's the 'romance'. Honestly, this is also a problem with Star's character - in that the 'romance' arc undercuts her characterization at critical points. For someone brusque, professional, in control and strict, she never chastises her love interest (who is also her employee) for his forward behavior when they've only known each other for days. He brazenly flirts with her and touches her, and she barely even responds, let alone point out how unprofessional his behavior is. Whether it's welcome is one thing - Star's character as it's established doesn't seem to be one that would permit this guy's behavior, and yet she does. In fact, she tolerates his repeated violations of her rules and orders, and even praises him for some of them. His behavior, to her, is above reproach. To me, as a reader, it was completely out of line. He picked her up and shook her when she criticized him for making a rash decision. What the fuck?
I'm guessing by the fact that this book 'sank without a trace' according to the author bio (what a terrible decision to include that in end of the book in question) that this isn't representative of Stabenow's entire body of work, but damn if it doesn't make me less inclined to find out any time soon.
May 28, 2014
Audible Audiobook & Kindle book
Marguerite Gavin did a great job on the book I love sci-fi and if you throw in a romance, it's even better. I'm planning on reading more of this series.
Marguerite Gavin did a great job on the book I love sci-fi and if you throw in a romance, it's even better. I'm planning on reading more of this series.
August 28, 2021
2-1/2 stars: Moments of interesting mixed with moments of yawn inducing boredom mixed with moments of eye rolling. Not at all what I had hoped for.
June 9, 2018
I love first contact stories. And this one is grand! I never knew that Stabenow wrote any sci fi. Apparently she didn't write much of it and this one is introduced with apologies re errors of science, which would matter more if I had been in the mood for hard-science sci-fi than I was. I read for character and story and Stabenow provided both with room to spare. I couldn't put this down. Not at all.
February 26, 2024
Almost a page-turner, at least a 4-star book for fans of space fiction, and 5-star for me because I'm a Heinlein fan and Stabenow obviously is too, with dozens of Heinlein references & homages to some of his works, especially The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.
November 29, 2011
I'm not an experienced reader of sci-fi, but I love Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak mystery series so when I stumbled across a free e-copy of Second Star I had to give it a try. You can download it free here: http://www.stabenow.com/e-books#star1 (I just checked today--12/4/2011--and it is still free, as are the first books in Stabenow's two mystery series which I highly recommend.)
Although I'm a great admirer of NASA and think we need to do more with space exploration, reading sci-fi tends to shut down my brain for some reason. Is it because I just don't know that much about space flight, the solar system, etc to know what's "real" and what's not? Could be. I'm also not a fan of magical realism so perhaps I just like my novels grounded in 'reality.' I do, curiously, like horror. Hmm. Anyway, I do want to explore the genre and intend to read more sci-fi in 2012.
I enjoyed the characters in Second Star and may eventually pick up the other two novels in the trilogy. There are definite similarities between some of the characters/ideas in Second Star and the Kate Shugak series, which I found appealing rather than distracting. The writing/flow of the novel is a bit uneven, but not enough to take away from the reading experience. This is, after all, Stabenow's first published novel and I do think it's a quality story. I may have just noticed some unevenness from being familiar with Stabenow's more recent, experienced writing.
Although I'm a great admirer of NASA and think we need to do more with space exploration, reading sci-fi tends to shut down my brain for some reason. Is it because I just don't know that much about space flight, the solar system, etc to know what's "real" and what's not? Could be. I'm also not a fan of magical realism so perhaps I just like my novels grounded in 'reality.' I do, curiously, like horror. Hmm. Anyway, I do want to explore the genre and intend to read more sci-fi in 2012.
I enjoyed the characters in Second Star and may eventually pick up the other two novels in the trilogy. There are definite similarities between some of the characters/ideas in Second Star and the Kate Shugak series, which I found appealing rather than distracting. The writing/flow of the novel is a bit uneven, but not enough to take away from the reading experience. This is, after all, Stabenow's first published novel and I do think it's a quality story. I may have just noticed some unevenness from being familiar with Stabenow's more recent, experienced writing.
November 29, 2011
Stabenow builds a very interesting world where this planet has reached its sell by date and off earth stations are being built for colonization. The resources come from the Moon and asteroid belts, the projects are expected to pay back their start up costs with interest, and no one is expecting Utopia, just a place they can safely call home. Where the book falls very short is that there's way too much telling in the first half - literal telling of characters explaining things to each other that they certainly would have already known, but the reader needs to know to get on with the story. The worst offense of this is a brand new security chief who apparently took the job knowing nothing about living off Terra. Then there's a very obvious bias against military leadership that we're supposed to accept without any proof that the military's ends won't justify its means. And finally, every body lies. Without lies, the story couldn't have happened, couldn't have had its big action scene, and worst of all, couldn't have a happy ending. A brave new world built on lies is not a brave world at all.
March 10, 2012
I definitely understand why this first science fiction novel by one of my favorite authors sank without a trace when it was first published. Star Svensdotter is in charge of getting ELLFIVE, an artificial star, ready for the first wave of Terran colonists. Between sabotage by anti-colonist terrorists, political intrigue from rival Terran groups, and a possible invasion from non-Terran life forms, Star has her hands full. I had a hard time keeping the story straight. There was too much technical information also. What I did find interesting was the vision of an alternate Earth history, and the references to some of my favorite books of my youth. In some ways the novel reminded me of the Andre Norton books I loved as a kid. I also liked the Librarian. The fact that the protagonist was female was also appreciated. I don't know if I will read the other Star Svensdotter books or not.
June 29, 2011
A good adventure story with a couple of minor weaknesses. The basic premise is that mankind has done a rush job of hurrying into space after receiving an apparent SETI message. The building of an L-5 colony, mining endeavors in the asteroid belt, a lunar colony and a Martian outpost all result in a remarkably short time, coinciding with major political turmoil on Earth. What could possibly go wrong? Well, there are the effects of the radically changing world view on religion, philosophy, politics...extremists who don't WANT humans to go to space, military folks who don't want the power structure to change, and...well, what about thost mysterious aliens, anyway?
Oddly, all that worked better than the romance story contained within the plot, which felt very rushed. Also, I found a few of the plot points to depend a bit too much on coincidence, but the story was enjoyable overall.
Oddly, all that worked better than the romance story contained within the plot, which felt very rushed. Also, I found a few of the plot points to depend a bit too much on coincidence, but the story was enjoyable overall.
December 14, 2011
This is a good old fashion, Heinlein'sk science fiction novel. The best way to mentally approach this novel is as an alternate-history science fiction story.
Imagine an event happened in the 80's that jump started our drive into space, where we didn't have the lost 30+ years we have now, but instead drove the world into space to stay, with perminate bases on the Moon, Mars and L5 (where this story is based).
There's conflict, love, fights and loss... with a dash of aliens thrown in too.
If you like Heinlein Robert a., Arthur C. Clarke or Varley John then you'll very likly enjoy this story too
Imagine an event happened in the 80's that jump started our drive into space, where we didn't have the lost 30+ years we have now, but instead drove the world into space to stay, with perminate bases on the Moon, Mars and L5 (where this story is based).
There's conflict, love, fights and loss... with a dash of aliens thrown in too.
If you like Heinlein Robert a., Arthur C. Clarke or Varley John then you'll very likly enjoy this story too
February 4, 2013
Plenty of similarities to "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" and a few to Star Trek: the Next Generation. Quite a few characters in this book, most of whom are fairly flat. The story was good, if a bit predictable. The science seems pretty accurate, but it's been a while since I read about colonies in space. Overall I enjoyed the story and will read the next one in the series. 3½ stars.
Despite the author being a woman of genre fiction, this is not one of the books I am reading for that challenge in 2013.
Despite the author being a woman of genre fiction, this is not one of the books I am reading for that challenge in 2013.
May 7, 2012
Oh my. No plot, no problem? Trying to be Asimov or Heinlein without the machismo? Ancient science? Strong Fem main character seemed only to be impressed with her own mind. Only one character I liked and she came and went somewhere about 70% into the book. I gave an extra point for trying to be a sci-fi. Sorry. Wish I could say more for it. I wanted to be able to share this with my sci-fi friends but nah. Don't bother.
September 10, 2012
I just re-read this book, and while I enjoyed the space-opera feel, and all the references to the Masters (Heinlein et al), it really isn't that strong. It's almost YA, but they'd never get the references to past authors and astronauts.
These books were Sttabenow's firs efforts, and I am glad that she wrote them, as it started her off into her Alaskan mysteries with Kate Shugak.
These books were Sttabenow's firs efforts, and I am glad that she wrote them, as it started her off into her Alaskan mysteries with Kate Shugak.
May 17, 2019
Second Star (Star Svensdotter Book 1) By Dana Stabenow
Perhaps the title of this comes from everyone's favorite quote from Peter Pan by James M. Barrie.
"Second to the right," said Peter, "and then straight on till morning."
And then; perhaps making use of the often added Star. "Second Star to the right, and straight on till morning."
Stronger evidence; is that this quote shows up in the book.
I've always loved Robert A. Heinlein all the way from his juvenile series of space novels to his controversial Stranger in a Strange Land. And his somewhat more speculative later years of connecting his alternate universe into a whole.
In her introduction Dana mentions his juvenile books as being an inspiration- and I've no doubt that they are. But this story really reads more closely to his Man Who Sold the Moon.
One thing that this story has over the old Heinlein stories is that the Female protagonist is very strong and independent. Esther Natasha Svensdotter or Star as she likes to be called- takes no crap from anyone.(Although it is interesting that in Heinlein's Glory Road there's a Star who turns out to be Empress of many worlds. She is a strong willed woman but we see her mostly through Oscar Gordon's viewpoint.) Part of reason for Star to be the way she is may have to do with the environment of the space station and her own insistence on having no weapons on board. She's appointed herself the judge, jury and in some instances the executioner. Swift punishment, which we are graphically shown at the beginning, to those who endanger the rest of the residents.
This type of character is very typical of many of those aboard ships, stations and colonies in Heinlein's work. This type of discipline shows up in many science fiction novels and seems to carry over from the romantic notions of how early sea faring shipboard discipline was handled.Though it seems efficient and swift and can be justified it still can have it's tole on the conscience and it is handled well in Star's own reactions after the fact.
This story begins with Star returning from a visit to Earth. She definitely hates getting her land legs and is happy to be returning to her domain. This trip back to the Lagrange Point Five or Ellfive is a neat way of introduction to the level of technology involved in this universe. There's a lot of information here for someone who claims to not be all that scientifically inclined and this is all coming from first person report from Star who has to be knowledgeable to all of this jargon. This seems sometimes to be a bit much but really it's just the world building to bring us up to speed to Star's universe and the various players in the universe.
What I enjoyed is the between the lines build up of Star's character. She's all woman, but she's not your woman of the bygone ages and maybe even a few clicks above the women of the time that this story was written. She's earned her place and for that she has a loyal team on Ellfive who would march through hell for her.
It's the whys- for why Ellfive is up there that reminds me of The Man Who Sold the Moon. Even down to the why Star is there on Ellfive. Star is almost like Harriman of TMWSTM. He wanted to own the moon and would do anything to get there. He's ruthless and devious and almost a bit dishonest. Star thankfully diverges from this in that her motivations always seem genuine and honest. Although, how she got up there seems to have shades of the same type of deception involved in TMWSTM only in this case the more egregious parts of Harriman's character have been portioned out to secondary characters associated with Star.
Another divergent element would be that Harriman- despite his successes- was never able to -hands on- do what he wanted to do, which is go to the moon himself.(His board of directors thought he was too valuable by that time.) Star is out there living the dream. Of course her dream is not all glamor, which is well displayed in the description of the mundane everyday workings of things aboard Ellfive. This might be a problem for some readers who don't recognize that when dealing with stories that are attempting to portray real Science in the fiction there are often a lot of mundane things that are done to help keep everyone alive. It also helps portray the fragility of the relationship of man to the environment of space.
This novel has a very good balance of those elements to help drive the story. This apparent lengthy narrative path also helps introduce all the characters and their dependent relationship to each other. And, it ultimately helps introduce the conflicts that exist, which will eventually be the threat that drives the plot.
Star has several contentious groups she has to deal with - one is the Space Patrol who seem to be acquiring bases and equipment floating in space in the name of national security. Star has some past with Gray, the head of the patrol. It seems that part of that has to do with is his trying to acquire Ellfive as one of his bases. Then there's a strong element of politics on earth, the Alliance Congress, which are often a driving force that might be influence by the Patrols past successes in obtaining strategic targets in space. And, there's the fringe element of the Luddites who hate technology.
As we come into the story Star has recently lost her head of security- a man who was causing more trouble than good and seems to have vanished mysteriously. A replacement,Caleb O'hara, has been sent to her but not soon enough to assist in an initial crisis from a Luddite who intended to blow something up. Star is forced to take care of that situation and a portion of the rest of the next few chapters is getting the new man up to speed.
Along with some few problems being caused by the space patrol causing station docking schedules to bottleneck she has to deal with issues the patrol are causing with the local merchants and longshoremen. And her station's master computer Archy -created and maintained by Stars brother-inlaw Simon- is showing signs of possibly getting out of hand. (Reminiscent of some of the AI's in Heinlein's work) Archy may be exhibiting signs that he's going a step above the simple AI he is supposed to be.
Added to this mix now will be some supply problems that are occurring between the Lunar facility and Ellfive. Someone may have their hand in that and it might turn out that there are things afoot that Star is unaware of.(All part of a big plot.)
As if that might not be enough there's another thread in the story that again parallels The Man Who Sold the Moon. Just as Harriman sent diamonds aboard the ship to the moon-as an experiment(while hoping to have people mistakenly believe he found them on the moon and is trying to hide the fact.) It would seem that the reason that Ellfive was created was in response to a signal that came from Betelgeuse intimating that there are aliens out there. Everyone had gotten into the mad rush to get out in space to meet the aliens. But the question is what really was that message and why haven't they heard any more. Might the message be a red herring.
And then just as in TMWSTM when the ship came back it had more diamonds than Harriman sent. While everything is creating a turmoil on Ellfive what's to be made of the newest message from Betelgeuse?
To go any further would really be giving spoilers. But, for me it's never so much the science or the plot as it is the characters.
I always loved Heinlein's characters- in spite of some of their outdated 50's mentality. And that's where this story grabbed me. Star is a standout protagonist with her flawed group of Ellfivers behind her all the way. They really drove this story for me much more than the various elements of the plot.
If you love Science Fiction or you're just looking for strong characters to relate to; this is a good novel for that. It delivers a good plot with some interesting themes; though because it was published back in 1991 and in the story the message from Betelgeuse arrives in 1992 it's a bit dated and now seems to fall into the category of alternate universe.
It's a good beginning to Star's story and I'm glad there is more story to tell.
Dana Stabenow is not Robert Heinlein (I say that meaning it to be a plus)- don't expect her to be (no one is) and you will be happy with this book.
J.L. Dobias
Perhaps the title of this comes from everyone's favorite quote from Peter Pan by James M. Barrie.
"Second to the right," said Peter, "and then straight on till morning."
And then; perhaps making use of the often added Star. "Second Star to the right, and straight on till morning."
Stronger evidence; is that this quote shows up in the book.
I've always loved Robert A. Heinlein all the way from his juvenile series of space novels to his controversial Stranger in a Strange Land. And his somewhat more speculative later years of connecting his alternate universe into a whole.
In her introduction Dana mentions his juvenile books as being an inspiration- and I've no doubt that they are. But this story really reads more closely to his Man Who Sold the Moon.
One thing that this story has over the old Heinlein stories is that the Female protagonist is very strong and independent. Esther Natasha Svensdotter or Star as she likes to be called- takes no crap from anyone.(Although it is interesting that in Heinlein's Glory Road there's a Star who turns out to be Empress of many worlds. She is a strong willed woman but we see her mostly through Oscar Gordon's viewpoint.) Part of reason for Star to be the way she is may have to do with the environment of the space station and her own insistence on having no weapons on board. She's appointed herself the judge, jury and in some instances the executioner. Swift punishment, which we are graphically shown at the beginning, to those who endanger the rest of the residents.
This type of character is very typical of many of those aboard ships, stations and colonies in Heinlein's work. This type of discipline shows up in many science fiction novels and seems to carry over from the romantic notions of how early sea faring shipboard discipline was handled.Though it seems efficient and swift and can be justified it still can have it's tole on the conscience and it is handled well in Star's own reactions after the fact.
This story begins with Star returning from a visit to Earth. She definitely hates getting her land legs and is happy to be returning to her domain. This trip back to the Lagrange Point Five or Ellfive is a neat way of introduction to the level of technology involved in this universe. There's a lot of information here for someone who claims to not be all that scientifically inclined and this is all coming from first person report from Star who has to be knowledgeable to all of this jargon. This seems sometimes to be a bit much but really it's just the world building to bring us up to speed to Star's universe and the various players in the universe.
What I enjoyed is the between the lines build up of Star's character. She's all woman, but she's not your woman of the bygone ages and maybe even a few clicks above the women of the time that this story was written. She's earned her place and for that she has a loyal team on Ellfive who would march through hell for her.
It's the whys- for why Ellfive is up there that reminds me of The Man Who Sold the Moon. Even down to the why Star is there on Ellfive. Star is almost like Harriman of TMWSTM. He wanted to own the moon and would do anything to get there. He's ruthless and devious and almost a bit dishonest. Star thankfully diverges from this in that her motivations always seem genuine and honest. Although, how she got up there seems to have shades of the same type of deception involved in TMWSTM only in this case the more egregious parts of Harriman's character have been portioned out to secondary characters associated with Star.
Another divergent element would be that Harriman- despite his successes- was never able to -hands on- do what he wanted to do, which is go to the moon himself.(His board of directors thought he was too valuable by that time.) Star is out there living the dream. Of course her dream is not all glamor, which is well displayed in the description of the mundane everyday workings of things aboard Ellfive. This might be a problem for some readers who don't recognize that when dealing with stories that are attempting to portray real Science in the fiction there are often a lot of mundane things that are done to help keep everyone alive. It also helps portray the fragility of the relationship of man to the environment of space.
This novel has a very good balance of those elements to help drive the story. This apparent lengthy narrative path also helps introduce all the characters and their dependent relationship to each other. And, it ultimately helps introduce the conflicts that exist, which will eventually be the threat that drives the plot.
Star has several contentious groups she has to deal with - one is the Space Patrol who seem to be acquiring bases and equipment floating in space in the name of national security. Star has some past with Gray, the head of the patrol. It seems that part of that has to do with is his trying to acquire Ellfive as one of his bases. Then there's a strong element of politics on earth, the Alliance Congress, which are often a driving force that might be influence by the Patrols past successes in obtaining strategic targets in space. And, there's the fringe element of the Luddites who hate technology.
As we come into the story Star has recently lost her head of security- a man who was causing more trouble than good and seems to have vanished mysteriously. A replacement,Caleb O'hara, has been sent to her but not soon enough to assist in an initial crisis from a Luddite who intended to blow something up. Star is forced to take care of that situation and a portion of the rest of the next few chapters is getting the new man up to speed.
Along with some few problems being caused by the space patrol causing station docking schedules to bottleneck she has to deal with issues the patrol are causing with the local merchants and longshoremen. And her station's master computer Archy -created and maintained by Stars brother-inlaw Simon- is showing signs of possibly getting out of hand. (Reminiscent of some of the AI's in Heinlein's work) Archy may be exhibiting signs that he's going a step above the simple AI he is supposed to be.
Added to this mix now will be some supply problems that are occurring between the Lunar facility and Ellfive. Someone may have their hand in that and it might turn out that there are things afoot that Star is unaware of.(All part of a big plot.)
As if that might not be enough there's another thread in the story that again parallels The Man Who Sold the Moon. Just as Harriman sent diamonds aboard the ship to the moon-as an experiment(while hoping to have people mistakenly believe he found them on the moon and is trying to hide the fact.) It would seem that the reason that Ellfive was created was in response to a signal that came from Betelgeuse intimating that there are aliens out there. Everyone had gotten into the mad rush to get out in space to meet the aliens. But the question is what really was that message and why haven't they heard any more. Might the message be a red herring.
And then just as in TMWSTM when the ship came back it had more diamonds than Harriman sent. While everything is creating a turmoil on Ellfive what's to be made of the newest message from Betelgeuse?
To go any further would really be giving spoilers. But, for me it's never so much the science or the plot as it is the characters.
I always loved Heinlein's characters- in spite of some of their outdated 50's mentality. And that's where this story grabbed me. Star is a standout protagonist with her flawed group of Ellfivers behind her all the way. They really drove this story for me much more than the various elements of the plot.
If you love Science Fiction or you're just looking for strong characters to relate to; this is a good novel for that. It delivers a good plot with some interesting themes; though because it was published back in 1991 and in the story the message from Betelgeuse arrives in 1992 it's a bit dated and now seems to fall into the category of alternate universe.
It's a good beginning to Star's story and I'm glad there is more story to tell.
Dana Stabenow is not Robert Heinlein (I say that meaning it to be a plus)- don't expect her to be (no one is) and you will be happy with this book.
J.L. Dobias
December 11, 2018
There were some negative reports about this series, so naturally I had to see for myself. I have no problem with a writer trying out different genres and characters, and Stabenow is far from the first to write science fiction in order to have a woman in charge (though this one is not too far in the future; I note women still are responsible for birth control). There are avoidable flaws to this book, sure. Stabenow likes a diverse range of cultures to be represented and they range from clunky to perfectly awful - very Star Trekky. The political scene of the future is unnecessarily explained, and we still have a Communist Russia - but this, together with oddly dated phrases ("damn the commodore's eyes") only gives the novel a pulpy feel, which is fine. The family relationships are odd - how can there be such repartee between sisters in public, when no one is supposed to know they are sisters, and how does Aunt Star preempt the niece's own parents so much? But there are things I like, so I'll be looking for the other two in the series. I liked the mix of futurey science and known science. I liked the opening event that introduces the reader to the novel's tough heroine. I liked the homey parts of the station that don't forget that they are in space. I like that the protagonist is from Alaska. And I like that characters must think about relieving themselves and barf in their space suits. This series predates the Shugak books and Stabenow is still trying out different worlds. It is probably lots of fun for her. But I think it's much tougher to write about an imaginary place than it is to write about a real one.
September 7, 2024
Read in 2 sittings as of 9/7/24. The book is out of print and needed to be obtained through interlibrary loan from Anchorage to NYS!
I was reminded of Robert Heinlein's style in parts of this book. There is a lot of technical jargon, and while it's dated (the book was published in 1991), it is way above my head. This takes up a lot of 'space' in the novel.
The most relatable scifi part was the anthropomorphized computer, Archy. Heinlein's counterpart character was named Dora, who eventually got upgraded into human form. I wonder if that happens to Archy in either of the two subsequent books of this series?
I was also reminded of two other scifi incidents: One from Star Trek Voyager and one from ST Next Generation. Both Kes and Reg become too otherworldly/advanced to remain on their respective ships and are whisked away to develop in some other fashion in another part of the galaxy.
I found the characters interesting, but somewhat shallow. It's a short book with not much time to really get to know most of them. They seem one sided. Also the romance between Star and Caleb happened FTL...:). The author is adept at portraying brilliant female protagonists. Star has qualities both good and bad, just as Kate Shugak does in that excellent series.
The plot comes to life rather late in this book, around page 146 when an attack occurs.
All in all, it's still worth reading if you're a scifi fan.
I was reminded of Robert Heinlein's style in parts of this book. There is a lot of technical jargon, and while it's dated (the book was published in 1991), it is way above my head. This takes up a lot of 'space' in the novel.
The most relatable scifi part was the anthropomorphized computer, Archy. Heinlein's counterpart character was named Dora, who eventually got upgraded into human form. I wonder if that happens to Archy in either of the two subsequent books of this series?
I was also reminded of two other scifi incidents: One from Star Trek Voyager and one from ST Next Generation. Both Kes and Reg become too otherworldly/advanced to remain on their respective ships and are whisked away to develop in some other fashion in another part of the galaxy.
I found the characters interesting, but somewhat shallow. It's a short book with not much time to really get to know most of them. They seem one sided. Also the romance between Star and Caleb happened FTL...:). The author is adept at portraying brilliant female protagonists. Star has qualities both good and bad, just as Kate Shugak does in that excellent series.
The plot comes to life rather late in this book, around page 146 when an attack occurs.
All in all, it's still worth reading if you're a scifi fan.
September 8, 2019
I listened for a little over an hour and just couldn't get into the book. Narrator Gavin sounds an awful lot like Kate Shugak and Stabenow's reference to Alaska is really evident: Chechako spacemen? So, I'll put the book away for awhile and maybe start the series again later.
April 14, 2020
I'm not really a fan of harder scifi; I don't care at all about "how", really. So that aspect of this book is pretty lost on me, but it seemed solid enough. I did, however, love the story, and I will probably keep reading the series.
December 6, 2024
Interesting change of genre for Stabenow
I really enjoyed this science fiction book and am looking forward to the next three. The female hero is different that some others I’ve read. A great read/listen.
I really enjoyed this science fiction book and am looking forward to the next three. The female hero is different that some others I’ve read. A great read/listen.
September 4, 2018
so basic and naive character development.
December 31, 2019
Second Star is a good story. Lots of space jargon and technical space information is thrown in and it detracts from the story.
August 12, 2023
Couldn't get myself invested enough in the characters to finish this book.
January 5, 2016
I bought this book because I'm going through withdrawal after having finished the twenty books in Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series and because I was curious to see how Dana Stabenow, would handle Science Fiction.
On her website, Dana Stabenow says she wrote "Second Star"
"in response to the Challenger blowing up, a story about a space program that worked. Rage is a great motivator. "
The result is a book, in the tradition of Heinlein and Niven, that is in love with the dream of space exploration and believes that it can be brought about by courage, ingenuity, a strong will and an absolute refusal to accept bullshit.
"Second Star" follows Star Svendotter in the final weeks of her project to build a space habitat at Lagrange 5. Svendotter is an indomitable Alaskan woman who leads from the front and is willing to act as judge, jury and executioner when necessary. She is practical, demanding, manipulative when necessary, goal-focused and completely enthralled by getting the science to work. This is the opposite to the NASA management culture reported by the Rogers commission where Feynman concluded that
"For a successful technology reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
In other words, when management thinking goes up against physics, physics always wins. Star Svendotter embodies this idea and made me cheer her on.
"Second Star" is a good piece of science fiction that leans towards the hard science end of the genre and expects its readers to enjoy speculative science and to be familiar with Star Trek, Heinlein, and Asimov.
There are points in the story that suffer from just little too much info-dumping but it mostly flows along just fine. For a book that is now twenty five years old, it's pleasing to see that the ideas still feel relevant and current.
According to Dana Stabenow's website "Second Star" is available free as an ebook from the following places, so, if I've piqued your curiosity, you have to spend nothing but time and a little imagination to satisfy yourself
Second Star is now available as an absolutely free ebook! (Or as near to it as Amazon and B&N will let us get).
On Stabenow.com1, a FREE (and DRM-free) mobi and ePub
On Amazon2, for your Kindle.
On Barnes & Noble3, for your Nook.
On iTunes, for your iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch.
On her website, Dana Stabenow says she wrote "Second Star"
"in response to the Challenger blowing up, a story about a space program that worked. Rage is a great motivator. "
The result is a book, in the tradition of Heinlein and Niven, that is in love with the dream of space exploration and believes that it can be brought about by courage, ingenuity, a strong will and an absolute refusal to accept bullshit.
"Second Star" follows Star Svendotter in the final weeks of her project to build a space habitat at Lagrange 5. Svendotter is an indomitable Alaskan woman who leads from the front and is willing to act as judge, jury and executioner when necessary. She is practical, demanding, manipulative when necessary, goal-focused and completely enthralled by getting the science to work. This is the opposite to the NASA management culture reported by the Rogers commission where Feynman concluded that
"For a successful technology reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."
In other words, when management thinking goes up against physics, physics always wins. Star Svendotter embodies this idea and made me cheer her on.
"Second Star" is a good piece of science fiction that leans towards the hard science end of the genre and expects its readers to enjoy speculative science and to be familiar with Star Trek, Heinlein, and Asimov.
There are points in the story that suffer from just little too much info-dumping but it mostly flows along just fine. For a book that is now twenty five years old, it's pleasing to see that the ideas still feel relevant and current.
According to Dana Stabenow's website "Second Star" is available free as an ebook from the following places, so, if I've piqued your curiosity, you have to spend nothing but time and a little imagination to satisfy yourself
Second Star is now available as an absolutely free ebook! (Or as near to it as Amazon and B&N will let us get).
On Stabenow.com1, a FREE (and DRM-free) mobi and ePub
On Amazon2, for your Kindle.
On Barnes & Noble3, for your Nook.
On iTunes, for your iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch.
June 7, 2012
Having read all of the books in author Dana Stabenow's 2 Alaska series PLUS her Coast Guard standalones, I decided to take the plunge and check out her science fiction trilogy.
Different. On many levels.
The book (in my case, the audio book version) falls into a convention common to science fiction and fantasy books – the simple acceptance of some aspect(s) of the characters' reality that is not shared by the reader. Sometimes the explanation follows shortly, others it comes eventually, and occasionally, it either is never covered or else done so with such subtlety that the reader – at least this one – misses it altogether.
Plot-wise, author Stabenow takes a risk. She does not use the typical “bell curve” in which action picks up as the book goes on until it reaches a high point, and rapidly descends into a conclusion. Rather, the book felt more like a daily newspaper, with events continuing on a day-to-day pace. Some days may contain more excitement and/or action than others, but it is not obvious at the time it is occurring (or in this case, the reader is reading). Even when one subplot reaches an obvious apex, the reader cannot get complacent as another subplot may be heating up.
The characters in Ms. Stabenow's book are developed in such a way that the reader cannot help but be concerned about their issues and cheer over their successes – likeable characters has long been the author's strong point. As such, even if the plot of the book failed to keep interest – and sometimes that felt to be the case – the reader wanted to keep going to find out what happened to, well, their new literary friends!
In summary, not everyone's cup of tea. Not necessarily satisfying to fans of Stabenow's Alaska work. However, worth a try. Some may be surprised that they actually DO like it and want more!
RATING: 3 1/2 stars, rounded down to 3 stars where 1/2 stars are not allowed.
Different. On many levels.
The book (in my case, the audio book version) falls into a convention common to science fiction and fantasy books – the simple acceptance of some aspect(s) of the characters' reality that is not shared by the reader. Sometimes the explanation follows shortly, others it comes eventually, and occasionally, it either is never covered or else done so with such subtlety that the reader – at least this one – misses it altogether.
Plot-wise, author Stabenow takes a risk. She does not use the typical “bell curve” in which action picks up as the book goes on until it reaches a high point, and rapidly descends into a conclusion. Rather, the book felt more like a daily newspaper, with events continuing on a day-to-day pace. Some days may contain more excitement and/or action than others, but it is not obvious at the time it is occurring (or in this case, the reader is reading). Even when one subplot reaches an obvious apex, the reader cannot get complacent as another subplot may be heating up.
The characters in Ms. Stabenow's book are developed in such a way that the reader cannot help but be concerned about their issues and cheer over their successes – likeable characters has long been the author's strong point. As such, even if the plot of the book failed to keep interest – and sometimes that felt to be the case – the reader wanted to keep going to find out what happened to, well, their new literary friends!
In summary, not everyone's cup of tea. Not necessarily satisfying to fans of Stabenow's Alaska work. However, worth a try. Some may be surprised that they actually DO like it and want more!
RATING: 3 1/2 stars, rounded down to 3 stars where 1/2 stars are not allowed.
March 23, 2014
I first tried reading Dana Stabenow's "Second Star" almost two years ago and had to stop at the 20% mark: I just couldn't take it any more. This time around, I forced my way through it. Was it worth it? No, not really. I've got three issues with it. First, there's not much of a plot. It's mostly a lot of things happening one after another with no apparent purpose. When you get to the end, something interesting has happened. But, it doesn't come across as something the characters were aiming for. Heck, it turns out that what we think is going to be the plot, isn't. Secondly, the prose is a bit hokey. Yes, technically, the writing mechanics are OK. But, there's a lot of stuff that happens that just starts a gag reflex. And finally, even though the science is mostly acceptable, one of the things the author comes back to several times (the spin-induced "gravity" of the setting) is wrong. Like just about everyone (even Arthur C. Clarke got it wrong in Rendezvous with Rama (Arthur C. Clarke Collection: Rama)) authors seem to equate increasing distances from the floor of a rotating cylindrical habitat with an automatic lessening of "gravity." That's not how it works. To get less "gravity" with height, you have to decelerate against the spin so that the centripetal acceleration against whatever is keeping you at your new distance from the axis is lower. But, that third complaint is pretty minor. The big problem is the lack of plot. Even the "hokeyness" can be somewhat forgiven since the author is apparently trying to emulate Heinlein's early "Boy Scout Era" works. Now, if there were something on this product page or in the introduction to the book saying this book is aimed at the Young Adult crowd, I'd probably rate the book at an adequate 3 stars out of 5. But, I don't see anything like that. So, rating it from my old curmudgeon point of view, I can only give it a Not Very Good 2 stars
February 9, 2014
I'm trying to get into sci-fi books more and more, and figured since I recognized Dana Stabenow as a mystery writer, I'd give her a try (even though I've never read her mystery novels.) I didn't realize when I began this how old it was (1991), or that it was her first book.
Taking that all into account, I wanted to like this book. In fact, I really enjoyed the characters, although there were so many that I had a hard time keeping track of everyone except about 6 characters. I also felt that the storyline was disjointed. As a writer, I found that everything was off structurally, and one part of the story did not relate very well to the other. Maybe it was just me, and being somewhat new to the genre, but I didn't find there was much foreshadowing to what was going to happen. Several scenes, while interesting, felt like they were there exclusively for characterization opportunities rather than for anything having to do with forwarding the plot.
That being said, I haven't decided whether I'll read the next two books in what I'm assuming is a trilogy. Because the book was published 23 years ago, it feels like I'm reading alternative history, especially with so many references to the former USSR and tendrils of the Cold War.
Taking that all into account, I wanted to like this book. In fact, I really enjoyed the characters, although there were so many that I had a hard time keeping track of everyone except about 6 characters. I also felt that the storyline was disjointed. As a writer, I found that everything was off structurally, and one part of the story did not relate very well to the other. Maybe it was just me, and being somewhat new to the genre, but I didn't find there was much foreshadowing to what was going to happen. Several scenes, while interesting, felt like they were there exclusively for characterization opportunities rather than for anything having to do with forwarding the plot.
That being said, I haven't decided whether I'll read the next two books in what I'm assuming is a trilogy. Because the book was published 23 years ago, it feels like I'm reading alternative history, especially with so many references to the former USSR and tendrils of the Cold War.
January 3, 2016
Second Star has fun, what if sociological angles. (Now sci-fi snobs call it "world building") Great characters. A lot of exposition, but it has stuck in my mind for years.
I was desperately searching for SF by women with female protagonists and found this little paperback with the pages falling out. I sucked it down and then hunted for the sequel. Remember when we had to work to find the rest of an addictive series?
Yes, I know it's Stabenow's first published book and she doesn't crow about this series, but I liked it.
Second Star is bursting with literary references, but upon rereading 25+ years later, the absence of female literary references sticks out like a sore thumb. Yes, I realize its a product of the times, but it still hurts that peers of Bradbury and Heinlein such as C.L. Moore, Ursula LeGuin, Octavia Butler and Leigh Brackett are missing.
I was desperately searching for SF by women with female protagonists and found this little paperback with the pages falling out. I sucked it down and then hunted for the sequel. Remember when we had to work to find the rest of an addictive series?
Yes, I know it's Stabenow's first published book and she doesn't crow about this series, but I liked it.
Second Star is bursting with literary references, but upon rereading 25+ years later, the absence of female literary references sticks out like a sore thumb. Yes, I realize its a product of the times, but it still hurts that peers of Bradbury and Heinlein such as C.L. Moore, Ursula LeGuin, Octavia Butler and Leigh Brackett are missing.
November 22, 2011
Picked this up as a Kindle "Freebie" and expected good things from it - a recognised author after all! A sentence in the "About the Author" chapter of the book immediately had me worried though. I quote: "Her first science fiction novel, Second Star, sank without a trace..."
"Star” Svensdotter’s job is to oversee the construction of Ellfive, a space colony being built in an attempt to "field some kind of force into space to act as a Terran reception committee". Star allows no weapons on Ellfive, but neither does she take any nonsense. An attempt on her life by Luddite terrorists results in immediate action: "spaced" out of an airlock!!
I found the first half of the book very boring and I nearly put it down several times as a result. Luckily though, the second half has a lot more action, and as a result, is a lot better. Someone else on Goodreads wrote "Her first book and it showed" and I have to agree.
"Star” Svensdotter’s job is to oversee the construction of Ellfive, a space colony being built in an attempt to "field some kind of force into space to act as a Terran reception committee". Star allows no weapons on Ellfive, but neither does she take any nonsense. An attempt on her life by Luddite terrorists results in immediate action: "spaced" out of an airlock!!
I found the first half of the book very boring and I nearly put it down several times as a result. Luckily though, the second half has a lot more action, and as a result, is a lot better. Someone else on Goodreads wrote "Her first book and it showed" and I have to agree.
December 18, 2012
Classic SF. Given that I grew up in the days when the Russians (or Soviets) were a driving force, this novel felt familiar. This is basically an alternate future book, where a message from space shows that Aliens are out there and motivates the world to head outwards to greet those aliens on a more equal footing.
Star is basically a construction manager / captain of the still developing L5 community being put together by the Western alliance (US, Japan, Mexico, Canada) on a grand scale (miles long rotating habitat meant to house 1 million people? That's the definition of grand scale!). Of course, there are a lot of issues. The potential of a hostile takeover, construction delays, solar flares and, yes, aliens all make this book an entertaining read.
Amazingly for a book written 2 decades ago, the book holds up fairly well (other than the geo-political aspects). I had to go back see when it was written and was quite surprised at the date.
Star is basically a construction manager / captain of the still developing L5 community being put together by the Western alliance (US, Japan, Mexico, Canada) on a grand scale (miles long rotating habitat meant to house 1 million people? That's the definition of grand scale!). Of course, there are a lot of issues. The potential of a hostile takeover, construction delays, solar flares and, yes, aliens all make this book an entertaining read.
Amazingly for a book written 2 decades ago, the book holds up fairly well (other than the geo-political aspects). I had to go back see when it was written and was quite surprised at the date.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews