Clouds of Venus

Solar System #5

by Brandon Q. Morris, Ashton McLee

Die Venus ist ein lebensfeindlicher Planet, bedeckt von aktiven Vulkanen. Trotzdem startet die NASA eine Expedition, die nach Leben suchen soll, denn die dichten Wolken der heißen Schwester der Erde könnten dafür gute Bedingungen bieten. Ein speziell entwickeltes Airship dient den vier Astronauten als Forschungsplattform. Doch dann entdecken sie auf der glühenden Oberfläche gefährliche Aktivitäten, für die es nur eine Erklärung geben kann: Dort muss eine hoch entwickelte Lebensform am Werk sein.

Hard Science Fiction – alles, was im Roman geschildert wird, könnte in Zukunft genau so geschehen.

Bonus: Die neue Biografie der Venus

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Hard Science Fiction

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 25, 2019

About the author

Brandon 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.

Reviews

[reherrma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandon Q. Morris hat innerhalb seines "Enceladus/Proxima Centauri-Universums" ein neues Planeten-Kapitel aufgetan, zusammen mit einem Co-Autor.
Das Ziel ist die Venus, für die 2 Wissenschaftler mit ferngesteuerten Robotern trainieren, um zusammen mit 2 Astronauten für eine NASA-Expedition dorthin aufzubrechen. Gleichseitig sind zwei russische Wissenschaftler auf der Flucht vor einer bösartigen Attentäterin, sie werden von der neuen Chefin des RB-Konzerns zu ihrem eigenen Schutz zur Venus geschickt, weil eine andere RB-Expedtion dort Hinweise auf Leben festgestellt hatte, so werden sie vor dem Zugriff der Attentäterin geschützt und gleichzeitig machen sie für den RB-Konzern Forschungsarbeiten.
Gesagt getan, die russische Expedition, landet auf der Venus und ziehen in ein, vorher gefertigtes, russisches Habitat ein. Die, von Lesern der Romane von Brandon Q. Morris bekannte, KI Marchenko wacht über die beiden, eine Frau und ein Mann. Sie untersuchen die Hinweise auf Leben auf der Venus, innerhalb einer tödlichen Atmosphäre aus CO2 mit einem Druck von 92 bar und einer Temperatur von 460°C, eine künstliche Mauer. Dabei werden sie von einer Substanz infiziert, die die Menschen dahingehend beeinflusst, dass sie ständig Hunger nach Schwefel haben, dieser Drang führte beinahe zum Tod der beiden, auch Marchenko kann ihnen nicht helfen. Die KI wendet sich um Hilfe bei der NASA-Expedition, die sie inzwischen identifiziert haben. Die NASA-Expedtion macht ihre Untersuchung der Venus-Atmosphäre an Bord eines Luftschiffes, sie sind nicht ausgestattet, um auf die Oberfläche hinabzusteigen. Die beiden Wissenschaftler, auch Mann und Frau, lassen ihre ferngesteuerten Roboter auf die Oberfläche hinab und treffen gerade noch rechtzeitig ein, um ein Gegenmittel gegen die Alien-Virus zu entwickeln. Danach fliegen die beiden Expedtionen gemeinsam zur Erde zurück...
Das ganze ist natürlich nicht so infantil, wie hier geschildert, denn Brandon Q. Morris hat inzwischen ein Geschick entwickelt, eine komplexe Geschichte mit viel Hard Science zu einer dichten und spannenden Abenteuergeschichte zu zusammenzubacken, man fühlt sich gut unterhalten und man kann auch viel Neues erfahren über unseren Nachbarplaneten, über den man fast nichts weiß. Mit seinem wissenschaftlichen Essay "Die neue Biographie der Venus" am Ende des Bandes führte er mich zu manchem Aha-Erlebnis, die mich die Venus aus anderen Augen betrachten lassen...

[Demesos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard sci-fi book having its plot on Earth and Venus makes up an interesting story. The two storylines coming together on Venus are great to read, as both are equally interesting!
But the book seems to be a bit rushed towards the end, including leaving some loose ends.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the thing about BQM. The story is fine and interesting, even if the setting/characters could have used a little more description, but he's the only one writing about real plausible sci-fi in this solar system. Everyone else is just veiled space-operas and aliens. For this he gets a min 2 stars to me. The author is writing what I want to read. Who else is writing about Venus?

[David Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venusian attack!!!!!!!!!

Two trips are planned to Venus. One by NASA, and one by RB. NASA's is a research trip to investigate the surface and the possibility of life using robot avatars controlled by Erik and colleague. RB are sending up Peter and Maria for research purposes of an engraving they found, as well as to get them out of the clutches of the spy Anastasia. The ship RB is sending is much faster than NASA's but they are sending it later so NASA will get there first, but perhaps not to the surface.... What will they both find on Venus? Is there life and is it friendly? Is it intelligent enough to be friendly or simple more like a bacterium?
The spy angle provides a more suspenseful read as we get aspects from everyone's point of view. Marchenko returns as the AI in command of the RB ship and advanced technology allows robotic control by brain waves in an Avatar-like way. Beautiful descriptions of Venus abound , making this an entertaining read.

[Charl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Morris' "hard" sci-fi varies a lot in its "hardness". He does well with the highly scientific stuff, then drops the ball in the ordinary actions. Repeatedly he describes characters who are in a weightless environment with terms that can only apply in gravity: "pouring" a liquid, "hanging" from a line between two ships, "swinging", things like that. And that continually breaks immersion because I'm going "aren't they in zero gee?"

OTOH, he makes the story interesting enough to keep reading in spite of these "speed bumps". I enjoyed the contrast between the two groups' goals, and seeing Marchenko again. Without the descriptive glitches, I'd've easily given him at least one more star.

[Cassia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m intrigued by the portrayal of Venus’s atmosphere. The sulfuric acid clouds create an oppressive and hostile environment, contrasting with their eerie beauty. I imagine the characters grapple with the tension between scientific curiosity and the harsh reality of exploring such a challenging planet.

Moreover, the technological and physical obstacles faced by the characters during their Venus mission promise thrilling moments. The extreme atmospheric pressure and scorching temperatures add to the suspense.

[Clare Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and Enlightening

All of Morris’s stories teach a lot about science and our dolor system. That I enjoy as much, if not more than the story itself. This story did not have as much of a dramatic climax as others and neither did it have as much “wrap up” at the end for resolving loose ends. I was expecting one more thing to happen when the story ended, that was my reason for 4 and not 5 stars.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simply Could Not Finish

I’ve had this book open for weeks, and just could not convince myself to continue trying to read it anymore — in fact, I was mostly trying to AVOID getting back into it.
Finally I figured if I’m having this much trouble wanting to read it, it wasn’t worth the time or anguish to continue.
2 stars is a generous rating.

[Timothy OBriant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good science, ok story

Another installment in this series from Brandon Q. brings very interesting science. For me, it leaves me a little flat for the way the relationships and problems to solve are solved. It is all believable, but is just a bit too convenient. I enjoyed the story and recommend it if uou are reading the series.

[Gary Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I did not care for it, I love the Enceladus series and the Marchenko character. But this life form did not really get me excited. Though Venus is a tough environment to write about. The background and environment were very good, but the story lagged for me personally.

[Robert Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I totally enjoyed the story, and the storyline was great, I'm reading all nine of this series, and I am not reading them in order,that's what I love about the series you don't have to, well done

[Kissu · Rating 2 out of 5]

En realidad, 2.5 estrellas.

Estuvo bien, pero creo que es muy notorio que Morris no es el único autor. Aunque me gustó la propuesta de vida, los hechos son un poco más pesados que en otros libros y la mecánica general no es tan dinámica. Eso sí, aprendí varios aspectos que no conocía de Venus.

[Carl Wilburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting read. Felt like had more hard science than most I read. I'll read the next.

[Jay Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Morris

Thank you for another great read, but boo again on its length. Please I beg you for full length novels!

[Ben Varela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly good. The ending was a little weak. I thought it should have expanded the ending.

[Pramod Gupta · Rating 1 out of 5]

could not finish the book

[Jim Fettes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite an unusually long and slow start, The Clouds of Venus pays off with a spectacular vision of a living Venus. Morris once again shows off his hard science fiction chops.

[Fabi]

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