What do you think?
Rate this book
Eismond #3
The Io Encounter
Jupiter's moon Io has an extremely hostile environment. There are hot lava streams, seas of boiling sulfur, and frequent volcanic eruptions straight from Dante’s Inferno, in addition to constant radiation bombardment and a surface temperature hovering at minus 180 degrees Celsius. Is it really home to a great danger that threatens all of humanity? That's what a surprise message from the life form discovered on Enceladus seems to indicate. The crew of ILSE, the International Life Search Expedition, finally on their longed-for return to Earth, reluctantly chooses to accept a diversion to Io, only to discover that an enemy from within is about to destroy all their hopes of ever going home.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2017
1289 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Q. Morris
116 books463 followersBrandon Q. Morris is a physicist and space specialist. He has long been concerned with space issues, both professionally and privately and while he wanted to become an astronaut, he had to stay on Earth for a variety of reasons. He is particularly fascinated by the "what if” and through his books he aims to share compelling hard science fiction stories that could actually happen, and someday may happen. Morris is the author of several best-selling science fiction novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 26, 2021
3.5 Estrellitas redondeando a 4 se lleva esta nueva entrega de Luna Helada.
De nuevo un libro muy disfrutable, quizás no tanto como el anterior, pero divertido de cabo a rabo. Comete los mismos "errores" que los anteriores, y es que la tripulación del ILSS pasa por nuestro sistema solar como si fueran exploradores del nuevo mundo, a saco. No sientes la expectación de que estén ante una nueva luna, o la majestuosidad que deberían sentir los protagonistas ante los espectáculos que se deberían brindar ante sus ojos, lo intenta, sin conseguirlo del todo a mi modo de ver. Aun con todo la aventura es muy entretenida, en este caso deja de ser, a mi modo de ver "hard scifi" para ser un poco más "aventura" pero lo importante es que me lo he pasado bien leyéndolo.
Me queda el ultimo de la saga, veremos cómo se porta.
Totalmente recomendados si os gusta la scifi y la aventura
De nuevo un libro muy disfrutable, quizás no tanto como el anterior, pero divertido de cabo a rabo. Comete los mismos "errores" que los anteriores, y es que la tripulación del ILSS pasa por nuestro sistema solar como si fueran exploradores del nuevo mundo, a saco. No sientes la expectación de que estén ante una nueva luna, o la majestuosidad que deberían sentir los protagonistas ante los espectáculos que se deberían brindar ante sus ojos, lo intenta, sin conseguirlo del todo a mi modo de ver. Aun con todo la aventura es muy entretenida, en este caso deja de ser, a mi modo de ver "hard scifi" para ser un poco más "aventura" pero lo importante es que me lo he pasado bien leyéndolo.
Me queda el ultimo de la saga, veremos cómo se porta.
Totalmente recomendados si os gusta la scifi y la aventura
November 23, 2023
Sigue la saga. Todo lo que dije para los dos libros anteriores es válido para el tercero. Tengo la sensación de que el autor escribió un único libro y lo dividió en varios como estrategia para vender. O fue cosa de la Editorial, vete a saber. La estructura de la historia es casi calcada a las dos anteriores, sirve para exponer una serie de datos científicos y algunas especulaciones que no terminan arrancar. Como expuse en la crítica del segundo, entra bien y no aporta demasiado. Si fuera alimento, apenas tendría calorías. Esto no quiere decir que sea malo o poco entretenido, sino que aguantas la lectura hasta que te cansas y, con el tiempo, si te acuerdas, vas a por la siguiente aventura, como con la siguiente bolsa de pipas. Y de esta saga me quedan aún dos libros.
June 24, 2018
3.5 Punkte für den letzten Band der Trilogie. Die Serie wird von Band zu Band schwächer, aber Gesamt eine Tolle Story auf internationalem Niveau.
January 19, 2018
4.7| "Io" ist der 3. Teil der Eismond-Trilogie von Brandon Q. Morris (Matthias Matting), inzwischen ist klar, dass es einen 4. Teil geben wird, der die Trilogie zur Serie erweitert. Nachdem auf Enceladus eine Schwarmintelligenz in dessen Ozean auf dem Saturnmond endeckt wurde befindet sich die ILSE, nach einem Zwischenstopp auf Titan, auf dem Rückweg zur Erde. Seit über einem Jahr leben sie auf engstem Raum zusammen, verloren einen geliebten Menschen. Nun spaltet sich die Gruppe erstmals; die Chinesin Jiaying wirkt unnahbar, seit sie ihre Beziehung zu Martin beendete. Aus dem All empfängt die ILSE seltsame Signale, wahrscheinlich aus der Gegend des Enceladus. Könnte es sein, dass eine unbekannte Lebensform versucht, mit ihnen zu kommunizieren? Die Nachricht enthält viel Rätselhaftes und ein eindeutiges Ziel: Jupiters Vulkanmond Io birgt eine unberechenbare Gefahr für die Menschheit…
Waren seine beiden Vorgängerromane solide Hard Science Abenteuer, wendet sich der Stil in diesem Band.
Erstmals kracht es im Team. Geheimnisse scheinen zwischen den Crewmitgliedern zu stehen und die im letzten Part fast greifbare Harmonie zersplittert in viele rätselhafte Konflikte, die im Team nicht offen geklärt werden können. Es geht um Verrat, Vertauen und Mut, eingebettet in ein faszinierendes Weltraumabenteuer.
Gleichzeitig verschiebt sich die Perspektive auf die Mission durch Einführung eines zweiten Handlungsstrangs auf der Erde. Die Geheimdienste der USA und China schmieden ein Komplott um die Nachricht von der Existenz einer intelligenten Lebensform auf dem Saturnmond Enceladus geheimzuhalten, gleichzeitig versuchen sie ein Genozid, um diese Lebensform zu vernichten, zusammen mit dem Tod der Besatzung der ILSE denken sie, die bestehenden Machtverhältnisse auf der Erde beizubehalten.
Gleich zwei Spitzel befinden sich an Bord der ILSE, und keiner davon bösartig. Die Mission zu manipulieren stürzt beide in tiefe Existenzkrisen. Eine spannende Wendung, die das Buch für mich zu einem Pageturner gemacht haben...
Im Anhang gibt es wie auch in den vorherigen Bänden einen wissenschaftlichen Teil, in dem der Autor über die Eigenschaften des jeweiligen (Titel)-Mondes aufklärt, stets nah am Stand des aktuellen Wissenstandes...
Wie bereits bei Philip P. Peterson stelle ich mir auch bei M. Matting die Frage, warum die deutschen SF-Großverlage um die beiden Hard Science Stars (!) einen großen Bogen machen. Für mich sind sie die einzigen Autoren, die sich um dieses Kern-Genre der SF in Deutschland verdient machen und so der SF neue Leser zuführen.
Waren seine beiden Vorgängerromane solide Hard Science Abenteuer, wendet sich der Stil in diesem Band.
Erstmals kracht es im Team. Geheimnisse scheinen zwischen den Crewmitgliedern zu stehen und die im letzten Part fast greifbare Harmonie zersplittert in viele rätselhafte Konflikte, die im Team nicht offen geklärt werden können. Es geht um Verrat, Vertauen und Mut, eingebettet in ein faszinierendes Weltraumabenteuer.
Gleichzeitig verschiebt sich die Perspektive auf die Mission durch Einführung eines zweiten Handlungsstrangs auf der Erde. Die Geheimdienste der USA und China schmieden ein Komplott um die Nachricht von der Existenz einer intelligenten Lebensform auf dem Saturnmond Enceladus geheimzuhalten, gleichzeitig versuchen sie ein Genozid, um diese Lebensform zu vernichten, zusammen mit dem Tod der Besatzung der ILSE denken sie, die bestehenden Machtverhältnisse auf der Erde beizubehalten.
Gleich zwei Spitzel befinden sich an Bord der ILSE, und keiner davon bösartig. Die Mission zu manipulieren stürzt beide in tiefe Existenzkrisen. Eine spannende Wendung, die das Buch für mich zu einem Pageturner gemacht haben...
Im Anhang gibt es wie auch in den vorherigen Bänden einen wissenschaftlichen Teil, in dem der Autor über die Eigenschaften des jeweiligen (Titel)-Mondes aufklärt, stets nah am Stand des aktuellen Wissenstandes...
Wie bereits bei Philip P. Peterson stelle ich mir auch bei M. Matting die Frage, warum die deutschen SF-Großverlage um die beiden Hard Science Stars (!) einen großen Bogen machen. Für mich sind sie die einzigen Autoren, die sich um dieses Kern-Genre der SF in Deutschland verdient machen und so der SF neue Leser zuführen.
August 19, 2020
Ein schöne Fortsetzung der Serie. Ein letztes Mal muss sich die Crew der ILSE auf den Weg zu einem bisher unerforschten Mond begeben, dieses Mal ist es Io, ein Mond des Jupiters.
Die Umgebung ist wirklich interessant beschrieben, die Wendungen in der Handlung sind überraschend aber plausibel. Die Charakter sind nicht die Stärke des Autors aber sie sind durchaus dreidimensional gestaltet.
Wem die ersten Bände gefallen haben, Dr. wird auch bei diesem Buch viel Spaß haben.
Die Umgebung ist wirklich interessant beschrieben, die Wendungen in der Handlung sind überraschend aber plausibel. Die Charakter sind nicht die Stärke des Autors aber sie sind durchaus dreidimensional gestaltet.
Wem die ersten Bände gefallen haben, Dr. wird auch bei diesem Buch viel Spaß haben.
June 19, 2019
Yet another, upping the ante of the mystery of life in the solar system. Follows marvelously on Enceladus Encounter and Titan Probe.
March 25, 2019
This is the third book in Brandon Q. Morris' Ice Moon series. On the way home from Saturn, the ILSE takes a slight detour to Io. This is the weakest of the series so far but that reflects more on the high quality of its two precursors rather than the lack of it in this one.
Events on Earth are now affecting the mission and not in a good way. In this novel, we encounter humanity at its worst. It could mean disaster for the now familiar characters (assuming you have read parts one and two) if they do not figure out a way out of their predicament. Jiaying finds herself isolated from the crew with difficult decisions to make. I felt her pain when reading the book.
After getting information from Enceladus, the crew of ILSE lands on Io. I have come to expect great descriptions of the titular moon; the descriptions of the moons have been one of the strengths of the series. The lifeform they encounter is interesting and suitably alien, though I found the eruption subplot unconvincing. There is an eruption imminent that potentially puts Earth at risk. Thankfully ILSE is there to do something about it and this scenario has not affected Earth detrimentally in the entire history of life on Earth and Io?
One more book to go to complete the series, which is most definitely on my to-read list.
Events on Earth are now affecting the mission and not in a good way. In this novel, we encounter humanity at its worst. It could mean disaster for the now familiar characters (assuming you have read parts one and two) if they do not figure out a way out of their predicament. Jiaying finds herself isolated from the crew with difficult decisions to make. I felt her pain when reading the book.
After getting information from Enceladus, the crew of ILSE lands on Io. I have come to expect great descriptions of the titular moon; the descriptions of the moons have been one of the strengths of the series. The lifeform they encounter is interesting and suitably alien, though I found the eruption subplot unconvincing. There is an eruption imminent that potentially puts Earth at risk. Thankfully ILSE is there to do something about it and this scenario has not affected Earth detrimentally in the entire history of life on Earth and Io?
One more book to go to complete the series, which is most definitely on my to-read list.
April 28, 2019
Morris' storytelling is as good as ever and, his knowledge of the Jovian moons is displayed once again as his characters visit Io, the volcanic moon. Morris paints an amazing and challenging landscape for Francesca, Hayato and Martin as they attempt to survive this volatile environment. Amy, Jiaying and Marchenko must face their own problems aboard the ILSE when they are forced to abandon their crewmates on Io.
After reading this 3rd book in the series, I have become an adjunct member of the crew and I am concerned for them during the danger they face. Morris tells the story using current day scientific facts combined with some strikingly logical assumptions to create a very believable environment for this adventure. I look forward to hanging with the crew again, during their "Return to Enceladus", the next (and possibly final) book in the series.
After reading this 3rd book in the series, I have become an adjunct member of the crew and I am concerned for them during the danger they face. Morris tells the story using current day scientific facts combined with some strikingly logical assumptions to create a very believable environment for this adventure. I look forward to hanging with the crew again, during their "Return to Enceladus", the next (and possibly final) book in the series.
June 6, 2022
This review addresses the entire series of The Enceladus Mission, which consists of four full-length novels: The Enceladus Mission, The Titan Probe, The Io Encounter, and Return to Enceladus. Read in sequence as most characters traverse all four books, as does the story.
Plot. A group of astronauts from several countries responds to a probe signal coming from the moon of a distant planet indicating potential life. Through the four novels, space travel is defined in painfully intricate detail. The entire series consists of a series of mundane problems, occasionally life-threatening, that arise with regularity - one after another. Expected relationships between characters develop, including a pregnancy. Shipboard AI's misbehave, save the day, stuff goes wrong, stuff gets fixed, etc.
Liked. The Enceladus Mission series is pure SciFi. The "what-if" possibilities are there, which in my opinion, makes the best SciFi. No drooling zombies, aliens with clicking knees, jump scares. No sex, no gratuitous profanity. Coincidently? Breakthrough Enceladus is a proposed privately funded astrobiology mission to look for macrobiotic life in the volcanic eruptions of water emanating from the moon - true - Google it.
Not so hot. Wording isn't particularly smooth - no contractions; more effort should have been applied to story rather than space technology, which can be boring to some readers. The ending left much unanswered.
Written by Brandon Q. Morris, narrated by Doug Tisdale Jr., each book in the area of eight hours of listening, all books released 2019.
Recommended to the nerds among us; lots of techy stuff to pick apart.
Plot. A group of astronauts from several countries responds to a probe signal coming from the moon of a distant planet indicating potential life. Through the four novels, space travel is defined in painfully intricate detail. The entire series consists of a series of mundane problems, occasionally life-threatening, that arise with regularity - one after another. Expected relationships between characters develop, including a pregnancy. Shipboard AI's misbehave, save the day, stuff goes wrong, stuff gets fixed, etc.
Liked. The Enceladus Mission series is pure SciFi. The "what-if" possibilities are there, which in my opinion, makes the best SciFi. No drooling zombies, aliens with clicking knees, jump scares. No sex, no gratuitous profanity. Coincidently? Breakthrough Enceladus is a proposed privately funded astrobiology mission to look for macrobiotic life in the volcanic eruptions of water emanating from the moon - true - Google it.
Not so hot. Wording isn't particularly smooth - no contractions; more effort should have been applied to story rather than space technology, which can be boring to some readers. The ending left much unanswered.
Written by Brandon Q. Morris, narrated by Doug Tisdale Jr., each book in the area of eight hours of listening, all books released 2019.
Recommended to the nerds among us; lots of techy stuff to pick apart.
March 28, 2021
If I were teaching science now...
... I would have my students read this series and list the science facts found in them and then the science fiction. Theses books are entertaining, but also educational. Not only educational when it comes to science but also history and sociology. These books bring a lot of questions to my mind on how the future may look. It seems we live in difficult times and we have a hard time adjusting to changes we must adapt to with changing technology. But this series shows me how when mankind works toward solutions that we work better together and adaptation occurs. The hard part is to find what unites us to work together toward common solutions. In this series it is a string of events that started with finding a possible life form inside our solar system but outside of earth that needed further study. Then one after another issue is explored. The writer indicates other areas of further scientific research that can result as a part of the science fiction, but which is not unlikely to become science fact. For example, how much of your memory cans be lost without changing who you are. And with that, how much do older memories from childhood which we may not even consciously remember affect our actions today. I feel lucky that I studied science in high school and college during the days of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions and watched Star Trek. But I wish I had this series to help me even more to understand how earth sciences relate to the rest of our solar system.
... I would have my students read this series and list the science facts found in them and then the science fiction. Theses books are entertaining, but also educational. Not only educational when it comes to science but also history and sociology. These books bring a lot of questions to my mind on how the future may look. It seems we live in difficult times and we have a hard time adjusting to changes we must adapt to with changing technology. But this series shows me how when mankind works toward solutions that we work better together and adaptation occurs. The hard part is to find what unites us to work together toward common solutions. In this series it is a string of events that started with finding a possible life form inside our solar system but outside of earth that needed further study. Then one after another issue is explored. The writer indicates other areas of further scientific research that can result as a part of the science fiction, but which is not unlikely to become science fact. For example, how much of your memory cans be lost without changing who you are. And with that, how much do older memories from childhood which we may not even consciously remember affect our actions today. I feel lucky that I studied science in high school and college during the days of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions and watched Star Trek. But I wish I had this series to help me even more to understand how earth sciences relate to the rest of our solar system.
December 9, 2020
I am torn apart between giving it 3* and a 4* rating. So I am settling on 3,5* :)
Although I really enjoyed the book - plot and characters are just great - all is perfect continuation on the first two books, I have few problems I have hard time reconciling with.
First one is that Brandon Q. Morris for the first time (since I've been reading his books) introduces terrorism as a key plot development, which somehow doesn't fit in the book.
The second one is that it's extremely improbable that life on Io, which was developing for million or billion of years, is just about to threaten Earth as the crew was returning from their trip from Titan. Among all that million of years where this could have happened, I find it almost impossible that this would happen just so perfectly timed that ILSE crew can go there and prevent it.
Also, I don't really understand how ILSE, which was on its way back to Titan, was able to abort this mission and return to Io. Since they used Jupiter's gravity to accelerate to Titan, what kind of propulsion would allow then to change course so rapidly?
But apart from that, I still think book is excellent and I don't regret reading it :) Looking forward for next book in the series!
Although I really enjoyed the book - plot and characters are just great - all is perfect continuation on the first two books, I have few problems I have hard time reconciling with.
First one is that Brandon Q. Morris for the first time (since I've been reading his books) introduces terrorism as a key plot development, which somehow doesn't fit in the book.
The second one is that it's extremely improbable that life on Io, which was developing for million or billion of years, is just about to threaten Earth as the crew was returning from their trip from Titan. Among all that million of years where this could have happened, I find it almost impossible that this would happen just so perfectly timed that ILSE crew can go there and prevent it.
Also, I don't really understand how ILSE, which was on its way back to Titan, was able to abort this mission and return to Io. Since they used Jupiter's gravity to accelerate to Titan, what kind of propulsion would allow then to change course so rapidly?
But apart from that, I still think book is excellent and I don't regret reading it :) Looking forward for next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2024
O livro O Encontro de IO, é o terceiro livro da série Lua de Gelo escrita por Brandon Q. Morris, nesta obra de ficção científica, o autor nos leva a uma jornada de descoberta e perigo em IO, uma das luas mais extremas de Júpiter.
A história se passa na lua de Júpiter, IO, um mundo caracterizado por correntes de lava, mares de enxofre fervente, erupções vulcânicas violentas e uma paisagem que ecoa os pesadelos mais sombrios. Neste cenário desolador, a tripulação da ILSE, a Expedição Internacional de Busca de Vida, se vê diante de um dilema: seguir para casa após uma descoberta em Encélado ou arriscar tudo para investigar um possível perigo em IO que ameaça toda a humanidade.
O autor entrelaça uma narrativa na qual mescla exploração científica, suspense e thriller, enquanto a tripulação enfrenta desafios inimagináveis. A tensão aumenta quando um inimigo interno ameaça destruir não apenas a missão, mas também as esperanças de retorno à Terra. Esse livro é uma obra que não apenas entretém, mas também provoca reflexões sobre o futuro da humanidade e nosso lugar no universo
A história se passa na lua de Júpiter, IO, um mundo caracterizado por correntes de lava, mares de enxofre fervente, erupções vulcânicas violentas e uma paisagem que ecoa os pesadelos mais sombrios. Neste cenário desolador, a tripulação da ILSE, a Expedição Internacional de Busca de Vida, se vê diante de um dilema: seguir para casa após uma descoberta em Encélado ou arriscar tudo para investigar um possível perigo em IO que ameaça toda a humanidade.
O autor entrelaça uma narrativa na qual mescla exploração científica, suspense e thriller, enquanto a tripulação enfrenta desafios inimagináveis. A tensão aumenta quando um inimigo interno ameaça destruir não apenas a missão, mas também as esperanças de retorno à Terra. Esse livro é uma obra que não apenas entretém, mas também provoca reflexões sobre o futuro da humanidade e nosso lugar no universo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 31, 2021I have just finished "The Io Encounter".
Well, this book gave me the impression of an extended chapter of the whole series.
Yes, it did have some suspense, which always came out ok after a short while.
Although the idea of the Marchenco transfer to the data cube has been coming up in science fiction it seemed to me a bit lightly dealt with in this case. It shouldn't take the form of just plugging and unplugging the data cube.
Generally the book did not satisfy me so much, as I found the whole plot a bit scant and too predictable.
Since, I've started the series, which I consider just as one plot really, due to my "completionism" (cf. perfectionism), I will go through the last two books of the series, "Return to Enceladus" and "The Jupiter Catastrophe" looking forward to some real excitement and authenticism in the coming reading endeavour. After that, I think I'll go on with something totally different, which I hope I find.
Happy reading all!
Well, this book gave me the impression of an extended chapter of the whole series.
Yes, it did have some suspense, which always came out ok after a short while.
Although the idea of the Marchenco transfer to the data cube has been coming up in science fiction it seemed to me a bit lightly dealt with in this case. It shouldn't take the form of just plugging and unplugging the data cube.
Generally the book did not satisfy me so much, as I found the whole plot a bit scant and too predictable.
Since, I've started the series, which I consider just as one plot really, due to my "completionism" (cf. perfectionism), I will go through the last two books of the series, "Return to Enceladus" and "The Jupiter Catastrophe" looking forward to some real excitement and authenticism in the coming reading endeavour. After that, I think I'll go on with something totally different, which I hope I find.
Happy reading all!
March 22, 2019
Absolutely Great Novels
I LOVE this series, and look forward to the next novel. If you're a Sci-Fi fan wanting more science than fantasy, this is your book/series.
While I personally found the orbital mechanics aspects extremely optimistic, anything can be accomplished with essentially unlimited thrust!! So, let's give a pass on that, while hoping the author proves akin to Isaac Asimov in prognosticating future technologies.
Great characters populate this series, created with deft, minimalist yet precise brush strokes. Very accomplished author. The story draws you in, the characters keep you coming back!!
I also appreciate this author's ability to tell a story without resorting to gratuitous sex scenes or offensive language. Well done, sir. CLEAN WRITING is great writing.
BOTTOM LINE: Great sci-fi, appropriate for everyone age 12 and up.
I LOVE this series, and look forward to the next novel. If you're a Sci-Fi fan wanting more science than fantasy, this is your book/series.
While I personally found the orbital mechanics aspects extremely optimistic, anything can be accomplished with essentially unlimited thrust!! So, let's give a pass on that, while hoping the author proves akin to Isaac Asimov in prognosticating future technologies.
Great characters populate this series, created with deft, minimalist yet precise brush strokes. Very accomplished author. The story draws you in, the characters keep you coming back!!
I also appreciate this author's ability to tell a story without resorting to gratuitous sex scenes or offensive language. Well done, sir. CLEAN WRITING is great writing.
BOTTOM LINE: Great sci-fi, appropriate for everyone age 12 and up.
April 25, 2023
Novela de ciencia ficción dura, de 378 páginas, publicada en 2017, tercera parte de la pentalogía de "La luna helada". De ágil y fácil lectura, continúa con las aventuras de los protagonistas de las dos entregas anteriores. Sin embargo y a diferencia de estas, aquí el autor deja de lado la ciencia aplicada a la ficción que me encantó de sus otras dos partes, para convertirse en una especie de thriller político en el que ahora "los enemigos" son los chinos. Y lo peor es que algunos protagonistas como Richard o Martin son tan listos que con la simple imaginación dan con los secretos de la trama, lo que convierte el argumento en algo nada creíble. Una lástima que no se haya mantenido a la altura de las dos primeras entregas, pues creo que no continuaré con la saga. Solo recomendada para una sola lectura y para los seguidores del autor.
July 15, 2022
Book Review:
“The Io Encounter” by Brandon Q. Morris
I enjoy the technical aspects and ‘hard’ science in Brandon’s novel. He also does a great job with character development. Within minutes of completing this novel, I purchased and began reading book #4, “Return to Enceladus”.
At the end of this book there is what I call a ‘bonus’ feature which is a detailed look at the moon Io. Informative reading!
I was inspired to watch once again the 2013 movie “Europa Report” which is a realistic look at the exploration of another ‘ice moon’ Europa. The producers consulting closely with NASA to insure the realism. It is available on Amazon Prime. Well worth watching!
“The Io Encounter” by Brandon Q. Morris
I enjoy the technical aspects and ‘hard’ science in Brandon’s novel. He also does a great job with character development. Within minutes of completing this novel, I purchased and began reading book #4, “Return to Enceladus”.
At the end of this book there is what I call a ‘bonus’ feature which is a detailed look at the moon Io. Informative reading!
I was inspired to watch once again the 2013 movie “Europa Report” which is a realistic look at the exploration of another ‘ice moon’ Europa. The producers consulting closely with NASA to insure the realism. It is available on Amazon Prime. Well worth watching!
November 7, 2017
Auch der dritte Teil der Eismondserie ist wieder eine nette Geschichte; trotzdem kommt das Buch für mich nicht auf volle Punktzahl. Im ersten Teil versucht das Buch ein Thriller zu werden - was aber nicht richtig funktioniert. Ich fürchte der Autor ist dann doch zu sehr Naturwissenschaftler: denn der "Sci"-Anteil ist gut. Die Situation wird schön aufgebaut, aber die Auflösung ist dann doch irgendwie zu einfach - insbesondere "das Problem" auf der Erde ist dann irgendwie weg.
Trotzdem Empfehlenswert.
Trotzdem Empfehlenswert.
January 3, 2020
This was enjoyable if a little predictable in how it ended and, more, how it arrived at the ending. Having said that, I realize that the other directions the story could've gone would've required dramatic changes in the crew and significantly altered the direction of the story. To tell this part of their story there aren't a lot of options and once down the path you kind of have to follow it to the end. And there are certainly some enjoyable new aspects -- particularly for me the inclusion and integral use of a radio satellite installation of which I'd recently read.
I continue to enjoy the science aspect of the series. More hard science is always appreciated.
By now, I'm invested in the crew. So I'm along for the ride with all the highs and lows just to read more of their experiences in the next book.
I continue to enjoy the science aspect of the series. More hard science is always appreciated.
By now, I'm invested in the crew. So I'm along for the ride with all the highs and lows just to read more of their experiences in the next book.
January 21, 2024
A Decent Wrap Up
Generally enjoyed the first three books of this series. Generally speaking they do stick to the harder end of scifi, but some of the orbital mechanics seems a bit wonky, and there can often be a general appeal to suspend disbelief at some of the more hokey sci-fi elements (the transfer of a crewmember's consciousness to a computer through the intervention of aliens comes to mind). But, the general "life is everywhere and while not hostile to life on earth, but just completely indifferent serves the story well.
Generally enjoyed the first three books of this series. Generally speaking they do stick to the harder end of scifi, but some of the orbital mechanics seems a bit wonky, and there can often be a general appeal to suspend disbelief at some of the more hokey sci-fi elements (the transfer of a crewmember's consciousness to a computer through the intervention of aliens comes to mind). But, the general "life is everywhere and while not hostile to life on earth, but just completely indifferent serves the story well.
August 18, 2019
This series has grown on me. I had some issues with the first book, but the second and third have shown a progression to more interesting characters. There's now a very fundamental question about different types of life, sentient AI's, learning to get along with (and even care for) people that you have to work with.
I wish I could hang out on a moon of a gas giant for a weekend. I would take so many pictures. If I lived, I mean.
I wish I could hang out on a moon of a gas giant for a weekend. I would take so many pictures. If I lived, I mean.
November 12, 2022
I’ve read the first three books in this series and - let me be kind - this series is “inspired by” Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey including a rogue AI working to a secret set of orders.
In this book, the author forgets there is a “radiation shield” in place around the Io lander which, at some points in the narrative, prevents communication between the lander and anyone outside it while, at other times, this is forgotten.
In this book, the author forgets there is a “radiation shield” in place around the Io lander which, at some points in the narrative, prevents communication between the lander and anyone outside it while, at other times, this is forgotten.
January 13, 2019
The Io Encounter: Hard Science Fiction (Ice Moon Book 3) by Brandon Q. Morris
This is the third installment on this series and is the best so far. The author seems to know a lot about thepalces we travel to, but his conjectures about space craft are lame.
Happily the characters are well written enough to keep you turning the pages.
This is the third installment on this series and is the best so far. The author seems to know a lot about thepalces we travel to, but his conjectures about space craft are lame.
Happily the characters are well written enough to keep you turning the pages.
March 2, 2019
Excellent fun and even educational
I chose this rating because it was enjoyable, there were few if any big gafs in the story and I even learned some things. I think if there is any one criticism it would be that the vastness of space is ignored. It only takes them a few days to get from one planet to another. Oh well, still a good story and a lot of fun.
I chose this rating because it was enjoyable, there were few if any big gafs in the story and I even learned some things. I think if there is any one criticism it would be that the vastness of space is ignored. It only takes them a few days to get from one planet to another. Oh well, still a good story and a lot of fun.
June 23, 2019
I've enjoyed all three books so far in the Ice Moon series and look forward to the final instalment.
This series is such a nice combination of plot, suspense, enjoyable characters along with a continuous explanation of the science.
There are a lot of hard science details and so if you would rather space opera, then this series may not be your thing.
This series is such a nice combination of plot, suspense, enjoyable characters along with a continuous explanation of the science.
There are a lot of hard science details and so if you would rather space opera, then this series may not be your thing.
June 7, 2020
I stopped reading at the end of my Kindle sample. This book read like a juvenile science fiction because the language was strictly 8th grade reading. He kept violating the "show don't tell" rule of good SF writing with endless descriptions of the minutiae of technology which were just unnecessary. And the characters kept man splaining technology to each other. It just got too tedious for me.
December 1, 2021
Overall great book. The story developed a bit slower compared to the last 2 books but again the use of physics, science, theory and engineering kept it super interesting for an engineering mind like mine. It was also alot to take in especially near the end. I feel like there could have been a bit more character development. But a super great entertaining read!
August 8, 2024
A série começou bem, mas vai piorando a cada livro e nem quero ler o quarto volume.
A história vai ficando cada vez mais inverossímil, até que a suspensão da descrença não é mais possível, tanto na forma como a viagem vai se estendendo sem qualquer problema logístico com a nave e também com o que os personagens vão encontrando nos satélites.
E a resolução dos problemas, que pareciam muito graves, são até banais.
Para piorar, a tradução tem erros gritantes (troca de letras, erros de concordância etc).
A história vai ficando cada vez mais inverossímil, até que a suspensão da descrença não é mais possível, tanto na forma como a viagem vai se estendendo sem qualquer problema logístico com a nave e também com o que os personagens vão encontrando nos satélites.
E a resolução dos problemas, que pareciam muito graves, são até banais.
Para piorar, a tradução tem erros gritantes (troca de letras, erros de concordância etc).
December 31, 2024
What can I say? At this point, it's hard to be disappointed and if you've read the previous two (which you should), you're invested in the characters and their relationships. Add in the fact that BQM does a great job of delivering on the science and you've got yourself another book that you can't wait to see how they resolve the situation.
June 15, 2019
Still ok and I'll probably read the fourth.
However, the characters and dialogue are increasingly flat. Plot development is pretty predictable.
And what about the sinister presence expected here (according to the entity on Enceladus)?!
However, the characters and dialogue are increasingly flat. Plot development is pretty predictable.
And what about the sinister presence expected here (according to the entity on Enceladus)?!
November 16, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable
This series of books is really enjoyable, with a very good story line and plausible scenarios while keeping a sci fi edge to it all. I particularly like the characters and find they add to, and maintain the story. A very good and recommended read
This series of books is really enjoyable, with a very good story line and plausible scenarios while keeping a sci fi edge to it all. I particularly like the characters and find they add to, and maintain the story. A very good and recommended read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews