Crescent

Helium-3 #2

by Homer Hickam

They said she wasn’t human. They were wrong.
A seemingly endless war against the insurgent Crowhoppers keeps the people of Moontown fighting when they’d rather be mining valuable Helium-3. Crater Trueblood’s valiant efforts against the genetically-manipulated beings weighs heavily on his mind. What is he really fighting for?
In the midst of a deadly battle, Crater captures an enemy Crowhopper. But this one he refuses to kill. “It” is genetically more human than not and its gender seems to be female. She calls herself Crescent.
Crater takes her to Moontown as a prisoner of war, but treats her kindly. However, at the hands of Moontown residents Crescent experiences prejudice and even cruelty.
Soon Crescent is imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit. Crater comes to her aid, and the two become fugitives, escaping into the vast expanse of hostile terrain called “the big suck.” For Crater, it turns out the cause most worth fighting for may be right by his side.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2013

About the author

Homer Hickam (also known as Homer H. Hickam, Jr.) is the author of many best-sellers including his latest, Don't Blow Yourself Up. An eclectic writer, he wrote the "Coalwood Series," which includes the # 1 New York Times best-selling memoir Rocket Boys, (made into the ever-popular movie October Sky) the World War II-era "Josh Thurlow" series, the juvenile sci-fi "Crater" series, the adult thriller The Dinosaur Hunter, the romantic Red Helmet, and many others. Among his many writing awards are the University of Alabama's Clarence Cason Award and the Appalachian Heritage Writer's Award plus an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Marshall University. For more information on Mr. Hickam and his books and cats and everything else, please go to http://www.homerhickam.com.

Reviews

[Jules ✨ librarian_finds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without the author’s note: **3.5 stars**
With the author’s note: **2 stars**

This is gonna be lengthy due to be being two reviews in one, my apologies in advance. Feel free to stop reading after I complete the novel review.

Crescent is the second installment of Homer Hickam's Helium-3 trilogy, and starts off about 3 years after the ending of the first novel. Crater is now 19, and fighting in the Colonel's war against the crowhoppers on the moon. During one of the last battles, Crater captures a female crowhopper named Crescent and takes her as a POW back to Moontown, resulting in Crescent being adopted by Q-Bess and trying to learn how to fit in. The inhabitants of Moontown (very much paralleled to the inhabitants of many cities in the modern world in these times) see Crescent, being different from them, as below human, a waste of space, and better off gone. When Crescent is framed for a murder Crater is sure she didn't commit, they run away as fugitives together. But the war isn't over. More crowhoppers are being hired and sent to the moon, and their target this time is Maria.

I did enjoy reading this book, I really did, but it definitely wasn't as good as the first. I liked the plot (though at times all over the place) and characters (for the most part), and absolutely adored Crescent, but this book felt at certain times like how it would to attempt to read a doctor's handwriting: messy and all over the place. The romance between Crater and Maria was laughable; I was able to put up with it and pretend in the first novel because there wasn't any mention about love (thankfully, as the two characters had known each other for less than a MONTH) but at this point it's just ridiculous and absolutely unbelievable. Full star docked off for it. Along with that, some actions the characters do just don't make any sense to me. Maybe it's the old Psych classes kicking in--I don't know really--but for real, it seems that some of the characters based on their situations should have been doing and acting the exact opposite. The ending of the book felt honestly like Mr. Hickam wanted to end the book here, but at the last minute (like, very last paragraphs sorta last minute) throws in a situation just to keep it going. This specifically wasn't a bad thing, but just one that had me saying to myself, "Oh ok so we're doing this? That's fine..I guess."

What I absolutely loved about this book though was the message it delivers to its targeted audience (juvenile fiction: tweenagers/middle schoolers) being the negatives of discrimination against those that are different from you. Sincerely excellent, Mr. Hickam, *chef's kiss*. Crescent is different. She's a crowhopper. She's seen as a living demon by humans on the moon. She looks different with many people saying she's the ugliest thing they've ever seen, she is constantly called 'it' to dehumanize her, and she is constantly being told that she should either die or leave the moon. Wow, sound familiar in this day and age? But here's the thing: Crescent is a sweetheart. She is so eager to please those who treat her with kindness. She is loyal and loving, and wants to learn so badly. She just needs some kindness and TLC. And that's what Crater gives her from the start. Love it. LOVE IT. I also like how it wasn't done in a typical White Savior fashion (ok this is hard to explain because yes, he literally did save her, so read the book to understand). She is his most trusted friend and so close to him he considers her his sister, constantly choosing her over others. Ugh, just, yes. Maria on the other hand...definitely infinitely more annoying this time around, but I can understand a good amount of why she acts the way she does.


***END OF REVIEW FOR NOVEL. REVIEW OF AUTHOR'S NOTE BELOW***


Here's where I have a major problem though. In the author's note, Mr. Hickam DOES give some good information regarding the moon and some interesting little tidbits. However, this Author's Note is also filled with quotes like:
1) "I also told him [JFK] I thought we should go up there and just mine the blame thing [the moon]..." (322)
2)"...I didn't see much value in living anywhere that couldn't be mined." (322)
3)"The present president (circa 2013) won't even consider it [starting a literal goldrush on the moon]. In fact, he said in a speech at Cape Canaveral that since we'd been there already, it didn't make any sense to go back. He even laughed when he said it, as if we were all a big joke." (322)
4)"Despite the ignorance and small-mindedness of some politicians, most people who pay attention know the moon is loaded with treasure just waiting to be mined" (322)

This...in a book marked as juvenile fiction...is not okay. Juvenile fiction readers tend to be 11-14 years of age, with many not even understanding what is happening to their bodies at this age--much less at a capacity to understand and interpret these heavily influenced political stances for themselves. Like, what??!

Mr. Hickam is allowed to have a different opinion than me on these topics. It's completely okay and I respect that. I also know where he is coming from. He's an Appalachian through and through--I am too. Mr. Hickam currently lives in the same city only a few minutes away from my father's house--I understand the community and environment in which he lives in. *I get it*. But, what Mr. Hickam portrays in this author's note is not suitable for his target audience in this series, and also sounds like a pity party in which no one meant to attack him, or for him to take it as personally as he did.

That same president (circa 2013) gave this specific speech in 2010, and stated that he wanted to focus on investing in space transportation services for astronaut crews as to not rely on Russian services and to not be dependent on such (*sauce ). Keeping American taxpayer money within the country doesn't sound like a bad investment to me *shrug*. It was also said that "the focus will be on developing technologies that would enable sustainable human expeditions beyond Earth's orbit" and that there /was/ possibility for trips to return to the moon after 2028. So, TLDR: "No moon missions: The Obama administration aims to ramp up NASA's technology development programs, which have atrophied over the last several years, and make 'strategic investments' at KSC, according to a senior administration space policy adviser." Obama also guaranteed a $6 billion increase in budget for NASA over the next five years and 5,000 new jobs after the space shuttle program was shut down by former president Bush, which caused 7,000 lost jobs.

So to me, this sounds like Mr. Hickam took the presient's (circa 2013) words and rejection of mining the moon personally, despite them not being meant to, and proceeded to insinuate Mr. President being ignorant and narrow-minded.....Okay, I'm sure the middle schoolers will love and completely understand that *sigh*.

Being a double major in environmental sustainability, I have to say it so sorry in advance: mining is absolutely terrible for the environment and often leads to complete restructure and reorganization of terrain. Even if the mining were clean on the moon like the novels suggest, mountaintop blasting and the likes will absolutely destroy the landscape. Given that no one lives on the moon yet, we can't possibly even know of major future consequences that could pop up due to moon mining. I really don't think mining on the moon should be promoted to 11 year olds simply to relive the glory-filled days of nostalgia. Mining has caused extreme destruction of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and was also partial reason and motive for the colonization and genocides all over the African continent during the 19th century. Let's keep that chaos contained on one planet and not bring it to the moon please.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s funny how every time someone comments about the biological algae thing being illegal Crater says “it knows that” and then it becomes “she knows that” about Crescent.

“If you’re always thinking about somewhere else, you’re missing everything.”

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crescent was an okay read. It took me a while to get familiar with the characters and story...since I haven't read Crater (book one). It was an intriguing read and the ending left you wondering what was going to happen next, but I don't have any plans on reading the next book as this one was just an okay read. I did like the setting as it was cool to read a book that took place in space!

*I received a free e-copy from NetGalley for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Pookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its amazing, Once again you won't want to put it down.The characters are intriguing and will catch your heart and mind!

[Xavier · Rating 2 out of 5]

personally i didn't like the book and i feel like the protagonist is always bothered or antaginised. First the book to me is everywhere it takes long for cresent to specify where the location was and when they did they switch to a new environment. The story takes place on the moon or in space as crater looks for other life forms with his group like Q Jess, Riley and Giles. The first encounter with a lifeform is when Crater fights a alien called a "crowhopper" and the first battle Crater nearly dies and destroys his space suit. In my opinion this book could of been better.

[Eric Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but I won't be reading the next in the series as I just didn't really connect with any of the characters. It says something about the author though that I was able to jump right into this book without reading the first in the series. However I don't feel like the author knows how to write women as I didn't find them very believable. On the positive side though, the author has a stellar knowledge of lunar geography.

[Will G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment Homer Hickam's Helium-3 trilogy. It's a series similar to those written in the Golden Age of science fiction, set in the future on a colonized moon with young Crater Trueblood as the hero. Will he save the day, will he invent the next great advancement to be used on the moon? Will he get the girl? A good story here tells you all. Enjoy! Looking forward to read the third book in the series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in Helium-3 series, continuing the moon adventure. Lots of action but also some moral questions. Be sure to read the Author's notes. Quite interesting science and descriptions of the moon's geographical features.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homer Hickam's second installment of the Helium-3 series was an entertaining science fiction does its best to speculate on where and what we could end up doing on the moon. It's a quick, fun read that's suitable for all ages.

[Gabriel Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast paced, creative

Fun to read and dream of possible future life outside earth. Humans are great and creative to adapt to new environmets. Buf of course, we are who we are, we take our ways with us wherever we go. Ambition, greed, war.

[Lori Scheffler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable quick and easy read. Fun and exciting but not life changing or deep or anything.

[Rashika (is tired) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Life is Death. Death is life.”

I read this book without reading the first one in the series so I may have been slightly confused at first but it was actually pretty smooth. I had started the first one but since I was short on time I just picked this one instead, so I wasn’t completely clueless but never the less once you get the hang of this book it can be read like a standalone.

I am sure I missed quite a bit of the world building in the first book but even in this book there was quite a bit of it, I loved all the techy details. The geek in me was so happy with the world building, mostly because I actually understood it. Plus I’ve always wanted to go to the moon so it was interesting to see the author develop this world.

From what I gather though, living on the moon isn’t all that fun. The habitants are people who committed crimes on Earth and were exiled to the moon. There is the colonel, who I think of as a dictator, and there are a couple of cities.

This book opens on the verge of war where Crater, our main character, rescues a crowhopper; which is basically something bred in laboratories and is designed to kill.

Crater is actually a pretty good male lead. He is really smart but he is also kind. He isn’t a ‘bad boy’ but more like the ‘nice guy’ I crave. Despite this though I couldn’t really relate to him, maybe it was because he was so smart or maybe not, there just seems to be a gulf there.

I initially liked Maria, she was a strong female who wasn’t easily intimidated but then later on she seemed more manipulative. She claimed to love Crater yet she also said she missed the ‘old Crater that she could wrap around her fingers’. For being such a strong/independent woman, she sure did seem stupid at times. She complains about Crater not making contact for 3 years but why couldn’t she do that? I mean she knows that he is busy fighting so she should understand that he won’t exactly have a lot of time to write.

The romance did NOT work at all for me. There was too much cheese and it just didn’t seem like they were in love. There tends to be a chemistry present two characters that are in love or attracted to one another, and perhaps I missed that in the first book, but in this book, I did not sense ANY between Maria and Crater. Their romance seemed like it was forced.

Which brings me to Crescent. She is the crowhopper that Crater rescued. The crowhoppers are interesting creatures. They know they are going to die, which makes them strong fighters so Crescent is surprised when they take her captive instead of killing her right away. I love how her character is developed; she doesn’t change immediately but slowly. I was initially bothered by the fact that Crescent was jealous of Maria and may have fallen in love with Crater but in all honesty? I prefer her as a love interest (not that she was one), Maria just didn’t work for me.

The plot was slightly confusing, it was hard for me to keep up at times and some of the things did come out of nowhere. There were also times I had to skim because I was bored.

All in all this was a rather interesting read and sci-fic geeks should definitely give this a shot.

Check out the blog tour on the blog. There is also a giveaway.

[Reuben H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crescent is the second installment of Homer Hickam's Helium-3 series. It is highly recommend that you read the first book first.

Crescent does not pick up where Crater left off, instead taking place three years later. It's still the exact same world—same futuristic moon colony—with the exact same characters, but you can tell how much it's changed. War has broken out on Earth, on the moon, and everywhere in-between. Crater Trueblood, our protagonist from before, is a part-time helium-3 miner and a part-time soldier, fighting under Colonel John High Eagle Medaris against the crowhoppers, genetically-engineered troops sent by the UCW—the Unified Counties of the World, an alliance formed by over thirty nations on Earth. The reason for the war was that the UCW wanted control over the moon, and the residents of the moon were not going to let that happen.

With that little bit of premise, I will not tell you the story. If you are eager to learn it, you can look up a synopsis on any book-selling website, or check out most other reviews. I, however, would just recommend reading the books. What I will tell you, however, is that Crescent is amazing and it was definitely worth the wait. The main characters are now a few years older, and you can tell how much they've changed. Crater is no longer the super-naive kid anymore, but instead has grown into a wiser, slightly pessimistic young man who has seen too much in his short time. While the characters have clearly grown up, you can tell that they're the exact same people, just older. I, more than anyone, know how much even a simple year can completely change a person.

Crescent is an adventurous tale, once again taking the reader back to this alternate future that I love so much. I feel like it's a little more mature than Crater was, possibly simply because the characters themselves are older. The book can be humorous at times, and the author gave multiple nods to the first book through inside jokes. My biggest complaint with the entire book is that it ended. I mean, come on! It was so very good the entire way through, and then ol' Homer had to go ahead and end it! When I finished the last chapter I jumped out of my chair and started shouting at the author for ending the book, and ending it where he did of all places.

Now, of course, the next Helium-3 novel is to be the final book in the series. I am going to be truly sad when it's over, because I love this trilogy. I assume that the next novel will once again jump ahead in time a few years, and I absolutely cannot wait. Unfortunately, I have to. It comes out in a year.

Congratulations, Mr. Hickam, your world has once again stolen my heart. I eagerly look forward to the final installment, though I'll probably cry at the end because the series will be over. You're a brilliant writer. Keep up the good work.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to make some turnip paste.

[Marloz Lozano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crescent es el segundo libro de la trilogía Helium-3, escrita por Homer Hickam. Está escrito en tercera persona. Decidí leer este libro porque formaba parte de un blog tour, y como yo nunca había participado en un blog tour, pues decidí entrar a este. La reseña del primer libro la pueden encontrar aquí. La historia es contada cronológicamente. El autor utiliza un lenguaje informal y juvenil. Va dirigido a un público adolescente. No voy a mencionar mucho de este libro para no arruinarles el final del primero.

El título hace mención de un nuevo personaje que se integra a la historia, me refiero a Crescent. Ella es una chica completamente humana, como los antiguos habitantes de la tierra. Cuando ella y Crater se conocen, se crea una extraña conexión entre ellos que hace que Crater la trate con respeto y hasta en cierta forma quiera protegerla. Y esta relación se mantiene durante todo el libro.

Es necesario leer el primer libro para poder entender el segundo. No es como en varias sagas que al inicio hacen como un pequeño resumen del primero. El libro está dividido en capítulos, cada capítulo es nombrado con un número y la historia es contada cronológicamente.

En esta ocasión, la historia se centra más en la personalidad de los personajes, la manera de pensar de los habitantes de la luna. Se trata más de valores, respeto y la discriminación que llegan a sufrir las personas diferentes o que no pertenecen a un determinado grupo. Sí, tanto en la Tierra, como en la Luna, existe la discriminación.

Este libro me gustó menos que el primero, insisto en que sucede muy poco en cada libro. Incluso en esta segunda parte, se repiten diálogos que se dicen en el primero, o la misma canción que canta Crater en el primero, ahora la canta Crescent. Es muy repetitivo. Tristemente no me llevo una buena opinión de esta trilogía y no creo llegar a leer la tercera y última parte.


No pensaba decirlo pero, lo bueno de hablar español, es que los organizadores de este blog tour no me van a entender (espero) y es que me enviaron un correo, diciéndome que si no llegaba a hablar bien de estos dos libros, que no pusiera la reseña. Y sí, los blog tours son para promocionar un libro, lo entiendo. Pero no pasé dos semanas dándole prioridad a estos libros para no poder dar mi opinión honestamente. Se supone que creé mi blog para hablar de lo que me gusta y de lo que no, y si miento poniendo una calificación falsa o haciéndole publicidad a un libro que no me gusto, pues no habla bien de mí personalmente.

http://geekmarloz.blogspot.mx/

[Cynde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being the 2nd in a series for teens written by acclaimed author Homer Hickam (Author of "Rocket Boys" from which the movie "October Sky" was based) this book is a fresh look at the teens of the not too distant future on the Moon. Mining rights have been established on the moon and whole businesses are growing up on the moon to support the industry. People sign on to go to the moon for work - sometimes for adventure, sometimes just for a job and sometimes because they are no longer welcomed on earth. Rivalry abounds not just from earthbound politics and countries who want the riches of the Moon for themselves, but among the leaders of the various mining camps and towns on the moon. There are constant skirmishes and battles to keep what's yours. Crowhoppers, genetically bred soldiers are sent from earth to fight for whichever faction they are being paid by. Their motto their mantra is "to live is death , to die is life." Mostly they live to fight and die honorably. The miners are constricted to fight against them in battles. Thus Crater, a likeable teen, inventor, miner is not in the mine working but in a skirmish over a convoy when they are attacked by Crowhoppers. Infiltrating the under ground tube the Crowhoppers were living in, Crater finds a lone Crowhopper and for some reason feels for it and captures it instead of killing it. He returns to base with it and finds out it is a girl - rare among crowhoppers. His prisoner causes quite a stir since none of the people of Moontown are going to trust it they all just want it dead. Crater insist that it be given a chance. Her name is Cresent and she is a very hard worker. Crater's adoptive mom, who is the exiled Queen of England, Q-bess takes the girl in and helps her learn how to live among humans. This is very hard for Cresent to do since everyone but Crater and Q-bess want her dead. Here insues the adventures of Crater and Cresent. This is a delighful story that will leave you wanting the more that is to come. Though written for teens and should be totally enjoyed by them since it is a space love story of sorts, it was a delightfully relaxing tale for adults. I thoroughly enjoyed the book , highly recommend it and can hardly wait for the next in the series. It has everything Battles, love story,jealousy, history, treasures and a few ghost as well.

[Ginny B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit, the description sounds really corny. The video book trailer is even worse! But I am a sucker for a sequel and after reading Crater, I had to read this.

While the first book in this series focused on relationships, this installment touches on social issues instead. Can we overcome our training? How do we treat people that were raised with different morals and beliefs? These questions are brought up, but there really isn't any depth to how the characters work them out.

The book felt as if it just stumbles from one scene to the next. Crater never really understands why he chose not to kill Crescent, or why he decides to show her kindness. He just meanders through the story as the guy who does good things, which really leaves the reader unsure of his motives. I found that really disappointing, especially when Crater is confronted with "Helpers", humans bred to have less than average intelligence and trained to live as slaves to the person who purchases them. They are disposable; when they are no longer able to help just trade them in for a new one.

The discussion questions at the end of the book felt as if Hickam was seeking reader input for his next novel. "Crater often does what others want him to do....Do you like him better when he goes against authority?" Is Hickam regretting this series? Is he unsure of what to do next with it? The ending of this book leaves me questioning where the story is going, and whether the hours I spent reading this was worth it.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really liking these Helium-3 stories. They are just fun to read. They give me the same feeling that Gregor the Overlander and Artemis Fowl did when I read them. Total adventure without feeling dumbed-down.

Crater is now 19 and working with the Colonel's military. They go out on assignment to fight the Crowhoppers and Crater ends up capturing one of them...a girl. He brings her back home, she gets accused of murdering someone while she's there, and is sentenced to walk out into the Big Suck with only an hour of air left in her tank. Naturally, Crater saves her and they go on the run.

This one is mostly about the Crowhoppers but Maria still makes an appearance. I still don't know what Crater sees in her. She wasn't nice in the last one and she's not much better in this one. But then again, teenage girls sometimes come across that way because they are trying to prove themselves. Hopefully she will be a bit nicer in the next one and worthy of Crater. He's not as naive now but just as intelligent and nice. And he's got a gillie!!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second novel in the Helium-3 series was fun. I engaged with it more than the first but there were a few occasions where wording of sentences irritated me. But, mostly, it was fun. The action sequences were well described and the characters were more interesting. But Crater seemed angrier than the first book which just seemed out of character for him, a little too much change from book 1. One of the most interesting parts was here all the moon locations. That gave it the creativity of a fantasy novel as well as a historical one because the moon does have names dedicated to places. Getting a little background on historical moon landings was sweet too, especially for someone like me who knows little of the moon but find it interesting. Call me strange, but I love the Author Notes at the end of the novels. I would read about events or things on the moon and find out in the Author Note that they are based on more reality than I thought. In the end, it was a fun read with a pretty well developed story. Looking forward to book 3.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Booksneeze.com.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This big picks up about three years after Crater. As with that book, it takes place on the moon which is now inhabited largely by mining and manufacturing interests. Crater Trueblood is a militia member fighting against enemy mercenaries called Crowhoppers who want to take over operations on the moon. Crater captures a Crowhopper female, called Crescent. Most consider the Crowhoppers as little more than animals and want Crater to kill her. Crater refuses and gets Cresent a job in his mother's restaurant. Crescent proves to be a reliable and hard worker, but the prejudice against her remains. When she is framed for murder Crater helps her to escape. They, along with Maria Medaris, Crater's friend from the first book and the daughter of the most powerful man on the moon, lead a group of new settlers from Earth to a remote abandoned mining site where the newcomers hope to set up a community. The book has interesting characters and realistic descriptions of what mining operations would be like on the moon. I found it to be a quick and fun read.

[David Waldron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in what I expect to be a three book series set in a mining colony on the moon in the not too distant future. My sense is that the books are aimed at young adults. This is not the kind of thing I typically read--I haven't been a part of that demographic in quite a long time-- but I have an affinity for this author as we grew up in the same small West Virginia county in the heart of the coal fields. This is a fanciful, fast paced, adventure story. It's also a coming of age story with an unusual setting. The author has, in many ways, transported a small West Virginia coal mining town of the 50's or 60's to the moon. Many of the cultural and social aspects of Moontown are very familiar too me. While the details of the setting will capture the interest of the author's West Virginia fans-- of which there are many--they are not critical to the story. Homer Hickam is a masterful storyteller and that is clearly on display in this book and in this series.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crescent is book #2 of the Helium-3 series. It is for a book mostly for teens and reminds me of the teen series written by Robert A. Heinlein.

The story: The moon war is almost over but it is still dangerous out there. Crater Trueblood acquires a strange companion named Crescent and the rest of the story is how he manages to prevent this being from being killed since almost everyone fears her. Crater's mother loves her.

Any problems with the book? No more than the previous book. Crater seems a little less credulous but not by much. He also seems willing to kill in a manner that reminds me of the early Heinlein teen novels. Romance is often hinted at but not consummated. Things like that. No cursing that I can recall.

The ending was reasonable and left an opening for a sequel. I'm enjoying the series but I probably won't read it again. It's a little too hokey and I'm not the target audience.

[Lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first book a few years ago so I don't remember it well.

There was a bit too much detailed violence in this book for my taste, but overall the story was okay. I liked the parts when characters from the other book (ones thought never to be heard from again) showed up. I can't remember my opinion of Maria when I read the first book, but I really don't like her in this book. Oh well. Hopefully she gets better.

I listened to the audiobook version of this, and thought that it was an okay way to spend 8 1/2 hours of my life. I would encourage those who enjoyed the first book to read this one as well.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes the world & characters that Hickam introduced us to in CRATER and moves the story in some very interesting directions. Characterization can sometimes be a little stilted... but in general is better than the first book.

Caveat: the book ends on a cliffhanger... waiting for the next book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is indeed a shocker...
4 out of 5 stars from ME on a sci-fi book!
It really and truly was entertaining, fast paced and intriguing with characters that I cared about. NOW I want to go back and finish the first book of the series!
And I want a gillie for Christmas.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first

[Steven Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really good! Can't wait for the next Book!

[Canadian 135 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is #2 in the Helium-3 series - enjoyed the series as a whole, long-haul trucking on the moon,

[Kathy Wawer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid Sci Fi. Interesting characters.

[Katie Robles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positives: lots of action, I love the moon as a setting, well thought out world. Negatives: love story isn't believable.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally just read it to get through the series.