Zero-G

by Alton Gansky

Poised to make history, SpaceVentures, Inc., hovers on the brink of launching the first commercial space flight. And Benjamin 'Tuck' Tucker's skill and reputation have thrust the new company into the forefront in this powerful new space race. A veteran astronaut and national hero, Tuck accepts the coveted honor---and the risk---of piloting the Legacy on her maiden space voyage. The danger is far greater than just the perceived risks. The real threat, a plot far deadlier than anyone could have imagined, is exposed as Legacy reaches the suborbital regions of space. Suspended seventy miles above Earth, Tuck must use his skill and his faith---faith in a God he has found it hard to trust since a deadly tragedy in space over a year before---as he fights an unknown enemy who will not hesitate to kill again.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Science Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense

330 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2007

About the author

Alton Gansky is the author of 30 books--24 of them novels, including the Angel Award winner Terminal Justice and Christy Award finalist A Ship Possessed. A frequent speaker at writing conferences, he holds a BA and MA degrees in biblical studies. Alton and his wife reside in Southern California.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting and suspenseful novel of space travel, tragedy, and terrorism. Recent events make it all the more timely.

[LKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I snagged a free copy of this book from the library and since I’m pretty into sci-fi at the moment decided to give it a try. I liked how this book jumped right into the action of a space flight gone wrong but that was kind of the only thing I liked about it.

The book is extremely lite sci-fi and heavy suspense/thriller. More than half the book is set up and events leading up to the “first commercial space flight” that’s mentioned in the summary. The actual launch of the first commercial space flight doesn’t take place until page 249 of the book, and the flight lands prematurely on page 299. Very short lived and anticlimactic.

The book is full of machismo characters - you know a book is written by a man when the wife in the story is thankful she gets to pick up her husband’s stinky socks from the floor (albeit because he didn’t die in the initial accident that kicks off the book, but still…if you’re alive you can pick up your own damn socks!).

Overall the book is wholesome Christian family stuff and it was a very fast read, so for that I’ll give it a generous three stars since I think it’s a book that people can enjoy. I don’t quite like it enough for it to earn a spot on my physical shelf though.

[Adam Collings · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't quite meet my expectations. I was expecting a science-fiction story set in space. While the subject of this story was the commercialisation of space, I would describe it as a thriller set mostly on earth in a present-day setting not so different to our own world.

That said, it was a good thriller, and often had me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the story, even though it wasn't what I thought it would be.

[Jeanne Boyarsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize there was going to be so much emphasis on religion so I was surprised. More importantly, sticking a thriller in space/biotech doesn't really make it sci-fi. Even though there was sciency description, the world wasn't has fleshed out from a sci-fi perspective as I would have liked.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a well written unique story. A murder mystery actually but with a very clever premise. There's no language, no sex though it is not what you would call a cozy mystery. I look forward to reading more books by this author

[Rebecca Hofstetter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook and made it about an hour in (Ch. 4). I didn't get far enough in to find out where the plot was going. Up to that point it was very cheesy and the characters were acting fairly illogical and hypocritical. For example Tuck, the main character gets mad at the crew on the ground for not being forthcoming with info about the danger is in to not worry him, while simultaneously acting the exact same way towards his kids. One of his crew members regains consciousness and is told to get ahold of herself when she's logically trying to make sure procedures are followed while still groggy. I was definitely rolling my eyes at most of the interpersonal interactions.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting science fiction but without the aliens. This is a type of science fiction that could very well happen today if they ever get back to sending astronauts back into space. There was no let down in the excitement but kept me reading until I finished it. It is also a Christian fiction with some references to God's Word.

[momloves2read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did keep my interest, however too many people died in it.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good short novel about space flight.

[Barry Haworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up in the bargain bin at Koorong. I don't read ostensibly "Christian" fiction usually so it was more or less a case of morbid curiousity, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Zero-G is basically a thriller, set in the context of the developing private space flight industry. As such it deals with a very current and exciting field, which it does quite competently and believably, with only one technical error which I spotted. As a story it works pretty well. It isn't great literature, the characterisations are a little sketchy and the denouement leaves out some detail I would have liked, but the story was engrossing enough and kept me interested.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Astronaut Ben "Tuck" Tucker is the only one who survives in a freak accident involving the space shuttle. After getting the run around from NASA, he is approached by a billionaire who is developing a space tourism business--and he wants Tuck to pilot his craft. Tuck agrees, despite the reservations of his family who hate to see him place his life in danger. The dangers of space travel may not be the only threats to Tuck's safety though.[return]A good page-turner, I didn't find it believable in some aspects, like how the bad guys escape the investigation after the first accident. But other than that it was a fun read.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the blurb on this book. Okay, I'll admit it--I'm a geek and I always wanted to go up in space. So a book about the first commmercial passenger space flight was very enticing. And I did like it--but I wasn't compelled to read it the way I am with a book that sweeps you along. Tuck was an interesting man, but not really anyone I knew. And I wasn't really worried about any of the consequences here. Still the story was good--and I did like it.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second novel by Gansky. Fast paced suspense. Will read more by Gansky.

[Hildegart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm wavering between a rating of 3 or 4. It's a fun read. It's not as good as some books, but it's great just to sit down with and let your mind wander away from the daily grind.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

[Edward L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a captivating suspense involving space and commercial spacecraft. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good action novel with Christian themes.

[Nick Woodall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. Good plot and would make a great movie!