Nearly Neptune

Chris Godfrey of U.N.E.X.A. #12

by Hugh Walters

Chris Godfrey and his crew employ a new hypothermia technique which freezes them into unconsciousness for most of the journey, but when their ship's automatic transmitter contact with Earth ceases, the conclusion is that the expedition has met with disaster.

Genres: Science Fiction, Childrens, Fiction

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2020

Reviews

[Coldbrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I haven't read any of the Chris Godfrey of U.N.E.X.A. series in something like 40-plus years, I remember them fondly--this one in particular. Seen thru the eyes of a 10-year-old this series was truly mind-blowing. Four stars for the memories, but I would dearly like to renew my acquaintance with the stalwart Godfrey and crew, but these have all been out of print for a long time. I hope they show up as ebooks before I make my own journey to the outer reaches.

On a related topic, I was happily surprised to find that the majority of the old Winston science fiction series have been published in Kindle format. I have several of them in hard back--who can forget the lurid inside cover with giant robots, flying saucers, and space-suited rocketmen jetting about?--but having e-copies helps fill in the many holes in my collection . . . and my memories. If they can reprint the "Winston juves" they can certainly reprint the Hugh Walters collection. (Publishers please note!)

[Timothy Keable · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was around nine or ten we had two or three of these books in our classroom at School. I remember thoroughly enjoying these rip roaring adventures and, although this book is a bit dated, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I wish someone would reprint these.

[Kifflie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has always been my favorite in the series.

The ship is doomed from the start, with a fault in the electrical system eventually causing a fire that wakes the boys up prematurely from their hypothermia sleep. Chris actually has to order them to abandon ship to drain the heat, which causes despair in Control when it looks like the ship has blown into pieces.

Tony shines in this installment as he proves why he's the best mechanic in the universe. He manages to patch lights, oxygen, and comms back together -- and Control rejoices. But there is still a huge problem. They don't have enough food to get home, and only two working hypothermia couches.

Naturally, being honorable sorts, they argue about who is going to sacrifice themselves and who is going to make it home. They do work out a compromise, although it still won't bring them all home alive.

Hugh then pulls out one of his best miracle solutions ever. I am not convinced that the science completely works, but the boys earned this stroke of good luck with all of the hard work they did.

Hugh also has an unexpected last-minute rescue that seems to come out of nowhere and prevents this book from getting five stars from me.

Sir George retires at the end, which is going to make future installments very different. Past this point, I believe I have only read one more in the series, and that a long time ago, so now I am entering unknown territory with my favorite space polycule.