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The Belt #1-3 omnibus
The Belt: Complete Trilogy
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Commander Scott McNabb and the crew of the science vessel, Hermes, are three years into a five-year-long survey of the asteroid belt when they discover a derelict spaceship in orbit around a binary asteroid. The ship contains an experimental quantum device, lost while en route to a research colony on Europa.
On Earth, powerful corporate forces are moving to resume unrestricted, inter-AI communications, their objective being to gain complete dominion over the colonized solar system. But the outer worlds are mobilizing to prevent them from achieving their objective, a fight back which is being led by Solomon, a sentient quantum intelligence (QI), also on Europa.
However, once word of the crew’s discovery gets out, they soon realize that ownership of this technology could fundamentally change the balance of power within the solar system, and they now find themselves at the very nexus of a system-wide conflict.
Their fight for survival plays out across the solar system, from the mining outposts of the asteroid belt to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and from the great Martian city of Jezero to the irradiated wastelands on Earth.
This is an epic tale of humanity’s struggle for survival and meaning in a time when artificial intelligence has finally out-paced our own ability to control it.
About The Belt:
The story is set a century or so into the future where humanity has colonized most of the inner solar system. The asteroid belt (The Belt) is now a hive of mining activity and ships ply the trade routes to Earth and Mars. The technology depicted, for the most part, is what I consider to be technically plausible, although I do stretch it a little with quantum entanglement. That said, you won’t need a calculator or a slide-rule to enjoy the story.
Commander Scott McNabb and the crew of the science vessel, Hermes, are three years into a five-year-long survey of the asteroid belt when they discover a derelict spaceship in orbit around a binary asteroid. The ship contains an experimental quantum device, lost while en route to a research colony on Europa.
On Earth, powerful corporate forces are moving to resume unrestricted, inter-AI communications, their objective being to gain complete dominion over the colonized solar system. But the outer worlds are mobilizing to prevent them from achieving their objective, a fight back which is being led by Solomon, a sentient quantum intelligence (QI), also on Europa.
However, once word of the crew’s discovery gets out, they soon realize that ownership of this technology could fundamentally change the balance of power within the solar system, and they now find themselves at the very nexus of a system-wide conflict.
Their fight for survival plays out across the solar system, from the mining outposts of the asteroid belt to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and from the great Martian city of Jezero to the irradiated wastelands on Earth.
This is an epic tale of humanity’s struggle for survival and meaning in a time when artificial intelligence has finally out-paced our own ability to control it.
About The Belt:
The story is set a century or so into the future where humanity has colonized most of the inner solar system. The asteroid belt (The Belt) is now a hive of mining activity and ships ply the trade routes to Earth and Mars. The technology depicted, for the most part, is what I consider to be technically plausible, although I do stretch it a little with quantum entanglement. That said, you won’t need a calculator or a slide-rule to enjoy the story.
- GenresScience Fiction
571 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2018
208 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 18, 2023
I have 6 book set purchased for $9.99 on July 2, 2023. Interesting space opera, with a bit of alien intrigue and AI involvement, and gangster types, and pirate types involved as well. Finished the first 5 of the series- a genetically advanced woman and her family strive against corporate CEOs who have no scruples.
January 6, 2021
It‘s an easy read, like for kids in primary school.
Other than some good ideas, there is no depth and often no consistency in either the characters, the plot or the timelines.
Sometimes it seems like reading „filler“: full pages can be skipped without missing anything from the simplistic and predictable storyline.
Sometimes the storyline is „rushed“ and leaves one with „hey, this would have been more interesting then the filler“.
Like you are served one of your favorite dishes and superficially it resembles it, but it just lacks flavor and you feel that it wasn‘t prepared and served with care and attention to all the little details and with fresh ingredients.
Other than some good ideas, there is no depth and often no consistency in either the characters, the plot or the timelines.
Sometimes it seems like reading „filler“: full pages can be skipped without missing anything from the simplistic and predictable storyline.
Sometimes the storyline is „rushed“ and leaves one with „hey, this would have been more interesting then the filler“.
Like you are served one of your favorite dishes and superficially it resembles it, but it just lacks flavor and you feel that it wasn‘t prepared and served with care and attention to all the little details and with fresh ingredients.
February 17, 2020
Colony Mars & Belt Trilogy
I found both series to be highly entertaining, both with excellent characterizations and fine well-thought-out plots. Looking forward to more from the same author.
I found both series to be highly entertaining, both with excellent characterizations and fine well-thought-out plots. Looking forward to more from the same author.
April 19, 2020
A gripping trilogy
Science fiction but really a story of interpersonal relationships. This is a believable future where people still have their faults but the honesty of the few can win through
Science fiction but really a story of interpersonal relationships. This is a believable future where people still have their faults but the honesty of the few can win through
February 22, 2021
A page turner in the true sense of the world, ideal to escape into - even if sci fi wouldn't be what you regularly read; this future world feels as real as our current altered world feels strange. I couldn't put it down, although I did miss Gizmo, who only features in Kilby's Mars trilogy.
January 20, 2023
Though oh enjoyed this book. Science fiction at its best. Started this book at part one it for
A year. When it was re released as an entire book, I read it and as before it was excellent.
A year. When it was re released as an entire book, I read it and as before it was excellent.
August 16, 2019
Solid Sci-fi
Solid sci-fi at a reasonable price. Does have the usual sci-fi cliches but it’s not bad. I hope he does more.
Solid sci-fi at a reasonable price. Does have the usual sci-fi cliches but it’s not bad. I hope he does more.
October 18, 2019
Liked it
Enjoyed the series. The universe / world building is interesting and I would like to read more. Hope to see the series continue.
Enjoyed the series. The universe / world building is interesting and I would like to read more. Hope to see the series continue.
November 23, 2019
Easy read
Quick and easy read. Predictable but enjoyable. Slightly linked to the colony one series with references to mars history and one of its characters which fit in well
Quick and easy read. Predictable but enjoyable. Slightly linked to the colony one series with references to mars history and one of its characters which fit in well
January 23, 2020
Excellent!
This is the 2nd trilogy I have read from Gerald Kilby. Also an excellent story line. I definitely recommend reading it,
This is the 2nd trilogy I have read from Gerald Kilby. Also an excellent story line. I definitely recommend reading it,
February 11, 2020
Entertains read
I enjoyed the belt a lot and it was easy to read and very entertaining. I also read his other series Mars colony
I enjoyed the belt a lot and it was easy to read and very entertaining. I also read his other series Mars colony
March 28, 2020
This book started out a bit slow but as I got into it I found I could not put it down
April 14, 2020
Enjoyable Read if you like SF type books.
December 5, 2024
Excellent story
Enjoyed this series immensely! Could not put it down until I finished! Well written and crafted storytelling - great reading.
Enjoyed this series immensely! Could not put it down until I finished! Well written and crafted storytelling - great reading.
July 14, 2025
Great, fast story.
I enjoyed reading my first book by Kilby and look forward to reading more! Fast reading and I couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed reading my first book by Kilby and look forward to reading more! Fast reading and I couldn’t put it down.
December 25, 2025
Love this book
Loved this book and series. When I can not wait to sit down and pick a book up again, I know I am hooked. Starting 3rd book now!
Loved this book and series. When I can not wait to sit down and pick a book up again, I know I am hooked. Starting 3rd book now!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews