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Venus Prime #3

by Arthur C. Clarke, Paul Preuss

the third volume in a series of science-fiction thrillers evolving from the works of arthur c. clarke, grandmaster of science fiction and author of 2001: a space odyssey. Her code name is Sparta. Her beauty veils a mysterious past and abilities far surpassing those of a normal human?the first product of advanced biotech engineering.

At long last, evidence of extraterrestrial life has been found: a plaque discovered on the edge of the north polar icecap on Mars. And when the theft of that alien artifact leads to two murders in the Labyrinth City, Sparta must risk her life?and her identity?to solve the case.

As the mystery unravels, the investigation becomes a race across the stars to retrieve the plaque?a quest which will ultimately uncover even more evidence than Earth's scientists have ever discovered

This star-spanning adventure brings together the genius of Arthur C. Clarke and the talents of distinguished science- fiction writer Paul Preuss. Introduction by Arthur C. Clarke.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Short Stories, Science Fiction Fantasy, Hard Science Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1983

About the author

Stories, works of noted British writer, scientist, and underwater explorer Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, include 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.

Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.

He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.

Reviews

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, and this entire series of books, is just annoying.

This book is not great. It's not good literature. It's not even good sci-fi. There's nothing really innovative in them and the writing is not sterling.

And yet ... the damn things are very engaging , very compelling, and I'm enjoying reading them. A good mix of sci-fi and adventure, with mystery/whodunnit pieces thrown in as well, this book is well-paced and fun. Some of the characterizations are a little superficial and its somewhat predictable, but it's still a fun read.

[Max · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than part 2, but still felt a bit empty. Characters finally flesh out some more character (heh), and I'm starting to dig the main story arch. Still, the substory of this book felt far fetched and the ending rather forced.

[Ian Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A detective story set on Mars during the early days of terraforming the planet. It is more about the surgically enhanced detective than about solving the theft and related murders. There is a fair bit of detail about the technology used on Mars (including a bunch of wire frame diagrams of various vehicles and buildings that are only incidentally related to the story).

The crimes are solved quite easily but only one or two layers of detail are exposed about the people behind the crimes and about why Lydia was modified. It feels like the middle book of a series about the Illuminati of the future.

The pace is quite fast, it seems like none of the major characters gets a good night sleep.

[Akrabar · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story!

[B. Barceló · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta obra ya no es un puente entre un libro y otro de la saga, al contrario de lo que pasaba con el segundo libro. En esta historia nos encontramos un argumento completo con un final relativamente cerrado. Se desentraña un nuevo misterio y seguimos descubriendo más de los personajes y de las fuerzas que actúan sobre los mundos.

Decir que esperaba que el final fuera algo más sonado, con más acción dados los acontecimientos. Pero, aún así, esto ayuda a dar pie a las nuevas aventuras. Por lo que seguiré con esta saga y descubrir el pasado y el futuro de Sparta.

[Tomasz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit better than the previous instalment, but even more firmly set as Ludlum-in-space, so a certain, constant ridiculousness is par for the course. I don't expect any of the remaining three volumes to rise above this level of skill, though.

[N_41redbkgbl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encore une fois j'ai vraiment adoré l'histoire et la course folle pour arriver le premier à retrouver la relique ainsi que la plus grande implication de la secte dans l'histoire et le comportement de Sparta

[S D Lawrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the weakest of the three so far, but still quite readable.

[toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much drama going on. Number 4 keeps opening up new things. On to number 5.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There is great socialist work to be done on Mars."

[Nurullah Doğan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 - Listened to it as part of "The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4..."

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

So by this time this author has really found his sweet spot in science fiction. This is a very interesting story about evading an alien race on a lower G planet in a space suit.

[Paul Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with mystery awe and action this book is probably one of my favorites of the Novels.

[Paul Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

by Paul Preuss, published in 1989.

This, as you can tell from the title, is volume three of the Venus Prime series. A rather neat series of books based on some of Arthur C. Clarke’s shorter works. This one is based off of his short story “Hide and Seek”.

Part mystery, part science fiction and part action adventure, I’m finding this series quite enjoyable. In this, the third installment, we find Sparta (Ellen Troy) traveling to Mars to investigate the theft of an alien plaque, and two murders that go with it.

This plaque is vital to something - but we don’t really know what, yet. I’m sure we will find out its significance in later volumes as well as find out just who, or what, the alien’s are.

This time Sparta is not totally undercover as someone, or more than just someone knows what she really is - a superhuman. And what would a good murder mystery be without the key investigator meeting with and “accident”? Which sets up a cool cross Mars flight in long winged light-weight modular gliders.

As well, Blake, who is her friend and lover, accompanies her and goes undercover to see if he can get more information on the murders. All does not go well for him, and the complications abound.

Overall I found this a quick, fun read which left me hanging for the next in the series which looks like it will take place around Jupiter. Now, what other novel took place around there?

If you are into murder mystery science fiction, then I think you will be satisfied with this series. You can still pick up these novels just about anywhere too.

[Bryan]

Clarke's view of Mars through the eyes of Paul Preuss: I first read this series when it came out in the late 1980's. They are highly entertaining and among my favorite books, it is high time they got a second printing. This third installment which takes us to Mars is as enjoyable as the rest, though my favorite is the second installment, "Maelstrom".

Over the years I've had a lot of fun with Sparta and "The Free Spirit". I just wish I knew how to get my hands on one of those "Snark" attack helicopters. Ellen Troy and Blake Redfield are captivating heros, who like the rest of us, have their flaws. Any Clarke faithful who doesn't enjoy this series might want to think about going one size larger the next time they buy new skivvies.

Anyone who enjoys this and other "Venus Prime" novels should look for "Core", another enjoyable work by Preuss. (For anyone who's curious, the origional names for the Venus Prime books are "The Breaking Strain", "Maelstrom", "Hide and Seek", "The Medusa Encounter", "The Diamond Moon", and "The Shining Ones" respectively.)

[Chris Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the Venus Prime series. Murder, mystery detective novel all wrapped up in a sci-fi environment with real world physics and with a story arc that is only revealed a bit of a time in each book. What's not to like? Sparta / Ellen / Linda is a superbly written character; kick-ass yet vulnerable and sometimes naïve. Not quite up to the second book but still excellent. On to VP4!

[Cian Beirdd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel seemed a cut above the first two. Multiple suspects, each with their own motivations, and an intriguing murder on Martian soil. The plot is again fairly simple, a mystery. We learn about the secret society only that they are immensely wealthy and consider themselves expendable. What is new is the development of a relationship between SPARTA and her friend.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pleasure to read beginning to end. The story, and mystery keep your attention. I can't go into much more detail because I read this a long time ago. I can say that I remember bits and pieces sometimes, so it has affected me on some level.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Clarke scifi read. Stimulating and imaginitive. What happened to dreaming of science and space? Oh yeah, TV.

[Happycomfort · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome series

[SciFiOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade C+. Book Vp3, Clarke's Venus Prime series.

[Patrick Bender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book in the series, but not the most stellar - it's the book that ties the beginning of the story to the complex ending.

[Jeff Rudisel · Rating 4 out of 5]

VENUS PRIME ARTHUR C. CLARKE
TIE-TOGETHER SERIES OF SIX CLARKE STORIES INTO NEW SERIES BY PREUSS.

[Taseen Muhtadi]

Charged and exciting as all Clarke's shorts........