Endgame Enigma

by P. James Hogan

Early in the 21st century, Russia has heroically gathered its dwindling resources to build "Valentina Tereshkova", a space station rumored to have actually been built by the last heirs of the Soviet dictators as a weapon. When scientists Paula Bryce and agent Lew McCain travel to the station to investigate, they become prisoners in the station's high-tech prison facilities.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Space Opera

436 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Endgame Enigma is a (relatively) early novel of Hogan's, and the first of his to blend techno-thriller/spy-suspense elements into the near-future science fiction plot; it just says "Novel" on the spine, not "SF." The plot is a complex puzzle, and both difficult and fun to track. None of the characters are particularly memorable, but they do serve to move the story forward and occasionally present Hogan's beliefs, speculations, and philosophies. The political climate and technology are now out of date (the USSR was beginning to dissolve when the book appeared), but Hogan still told an interesting story, though it's a little oddly paced and might have benefited from editing to a shorter length.

[Daniel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even knowing there would be twists, the sheer complexity of the plot was impressive. Recommended to fans of hard sci-fi or cold war espionage. Additionally, Hogan takes the opportunity to continue his tendency to pepper in philosophical insights on scientists, humans, religion, and government. Very interesting read.

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 pluss to 4 1/2.
A kind of US vs Soviet Cold War sci-fi thriller in space.
Obviously written before the cold war ended, but the novel is very good anyway.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really torn on this book. It had both really good things about it, and some things that really bothered me.

Pros:
I really enjoyed the overall story. Being set in the near future with the Cold War still going on leads to some interesting settings. The Valentina Tereshkova (named after the first women in space) was well thought out and becomes a integral character of it's own.

Cons:
I felt the pacing was a little unbalanced as the first 2/3 of the book seemed to drag a little bit, and the last 1/3 had things flying by much faster than than they needed to. I don't think things were given enough time to land before new things happened towards the end. I constantly kept thinking that I skipped pages or even whole chapters (this feeling was no doubt in large part from everything being so drawn out earlier in the book). This is the first Hogan book I've read, so I'm not well versed in his style, but most of the political thriller/espionage stuff came of as second-rate Clancy work. This opinion may change as I plan to read more of Hogan's stuff in the future.

[James F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel can be considered a blend of espionage, Cold War/Hot War, science fiction, and prison environment. Set in the period of 2015, its basic premise is that the Soviet Union, bent on world domination, is brought to its demise through the efforts of a small group of determined individuals who find it necessary to work together to reach a goal accepted by all.

This is the second read of this novel by me. The first read was a year or so after the publication of the book in 1987.

[Sean Randall]

James hogan was a man with far too much time on his hands. The complexities of the plot (not to mention the diagrams) are well thought out and had me wondering, almost, up until the end. I never doubted the aims of the Russians, I suppose it's far too much to expect anything other than what we found, given the western viewpoint with which the novel was penned.

[Gary Holt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting, up to the twist at the very end. I found I could not *quite* believe the end, and it kind of ruined a good story. It was an enjoyable read, but not something I think I will read again.

You have to force yourself back into the cold war mindset, if you can remember back that far, or imagine it if you can't. That's a bit of an exercise nowadays.

[Cws]

A Hog

[SciFiOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

1989 grade C