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Moon Base Delta #1
Solar Storm
In space, all that matters is survival.
Rapid colonization of the Moon is pushing both national space agencies and powerful corporations to negotiate a New Lunar Accord in an effort to prevent escalating conflicts over valuable resources and territory.
But hope that this treaty will bring stability to the nascent lunar civilization is suddenly dashed when a high-energy solar storm causes a cascade of destruction to the vast satellite constellations that orbit Earth. Now it’s only a matter of weeks before the ever-increasing debris cloud makes travel back to the home planet impossible.
Panic soon begins to grip the lunar population as they scramble to evacuate, all fearing that they could be stranded on the Moon with no prospect of ever returning to Earth. But for some, those caught in the grinding gears of the unfolding chaos, the situation becomes much worse. For them, it’s simply a matter of survival.
This is their story.
Rapid colonization of the Moon is pushing both national space agencies and powerful corporations to negotiate a New Lunar Accord in an effort to prevent escalating conflicts over valuable resources and territory.
But hope that this treaty will bring stability to the nascent lunar civilization is suddenly dashed when a high-energy solar storm causes a cascade of destruction to the vast satellite constellations that orbit Earth. Now it’s only a matter of weeks before the ever-increasing debris cloud makes travel back to the home planet impossible.
Panic soon begins to grip the lunar population as they scramble to evacuate, all fearing that they could be stranded on the Moon with no prospect of ever returning to Earth. But for some, those caught in the grinding gears of the unfolding chaos, the situation becomes much worse. For them, it’s simply a matter of survival.
This is their story.
290 pages, ebook
First published December 16, 2022
537 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 24, 2025
This starts out rather slowly, partly to set the stage for life on the Moon in this not so distant future but to set the stage for the international and business negotiations and intrigue. There was a lot of detail on the political aspect which was a bit dragging. The story became more interesting as the huge CME hit Earth and started the Kessler Syndrome. I did not know much about KS, so this gave me a reason to look it up. Very interesting and added an unusual element to this disaster since it would strand people both on Earth and on the Moon. I was a lot more engaged in the story at the end and look forward to the next in the series.
May 4, 2025
Really solid technical SciFi book. This is the first of a series about a catastrophic solar storm and its effects on a critical time in Moon development for mankind.
Amid a chaotic reaction to storm damage, people, nations, and corporations jockey for survival or dominance.
Very well written and plotted.
Amid a chaotic reaction to storm damage, people, nations, and corporations jockey for survival or dominance.
Very well written and plotted.
February 25, 2023
New author to me and a new series. This one starts off really well although we do have to get an understanding of the political situation in the far distant future. The Earth's political environment has created several groups that now control most of the activities in space. SINO, an aggregate of Chinese and affiliated national space agencies is one of the large groups, very stand-offish, very self-centered and almost uncooperative. INDOCON is a consortium of Indian space interests and affiliates. Then there's the NSFN or Non-Spacefaring Nations. These nations don't want to be left out of the space race, but they have no existing way of reaching space although some are working on doing just that. Then there's Xilinex, a huge corporation with it's hands in everything. They want to control everything in space and on the moon for a profit, of course. Lastly, we have FISA, the Federation of International Space Agencies, largely American and largely responsible for keeping space and the moon from turning into a war zone.
FISA was not trying to convene a meeting of all these entities in order to create the New Lunar Accord. It was hoped that this new Accord would finally spell out where everyone stood in relation to colonizing and exploiting the moon. The moon contains a vast amount of resources that the Earth needs and it has been providing such through these various entities, but it was getting to the point that some were stepping on each others toes, so lines needed to be draw or fighting might just breakout and that nobody or almost nobody wanted.
Currently, you'll find out that Earth has been busy sending many, many things into Near Earth Orbit (NEO) as well as Medium, and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (MEO and GEO, respectively). All of this "stuff" has and is being tracked by MASTERM, a government organization. They are also now aware of some building solar activity that could have an impact on some of the orbiting satellites and even space station above Earth.
One such orbiting installation is the Axial Luxor, a luxury orbital lunar hotel, where Selene Mene, Associate Director of FISA, is trying to convene the aforementioned New Lunar Accord meeting. She has been told about the impending solar activity, but at this point, she doesn't see that it has any effect on convening the meeting. Depending on how long the solar flare last, those aboard the orbiting hotel will have to seek shelter in one of the more protected areas that have been designated and built for that purpose. She really needs to get all the players to these meetings if she and others hope to prevent the eventual fighting over lunar resources.
Meanwhile, her nephew, Renton Hicks, is aboard the maintenance ship Aurora attempting to survey an old hunk of Lunar orbiting machinery formerly known as the Lunar Gateway. The survey is being made by remotely controlled drones which he and his fellow engineers are controlling. They also have been informed of the impending solar activity and believe they will be done and back to Earth before that becomes a concern. That is until something unexpected happens. One of the drones has malfunctioned and struck the Lunar Gateway now sending it on a orbit to crash into the moon. The crew Renton works with is going to have to stop that before it happens which will take time.
Back on Earth, the solar activity is becoming something of a concern. It might be much larger than expected and if so, it might last longer and be of greater danger to those not currently on Earth. It could even affect any electrical equipment on Earth and definitely affect orbiting satellites and space stations. As reports keep coming in on the magnitude of this pending solar activity, it gets increasingly worse. While MASTERM can predict when and where 90% of the space objects and junk is in relation to each other, they cannot won't be able to do much if these objects start crashing into each other if they are killed by the solar activity. This could cascade into catastrophic event if all of these orbiting satellites smashed into each other causing even more space junk to smash into everything else. It eventually could lead to an almost impenetrable shield around Earth that contains hunks of metal moving at 27,000 mph. No one would be leaving or coming back to Earth in that case.
So, now you know the situation, now you can read to see what exactly happens to everyone involved. Most of all, you'll read about what happens to young Renton Hicks and the maintenance team that got caught up in all this even though they are the ones least informed of what was happening. Space is pretty unforgiving and humans can't exist for very long unless they have made plans to do so, but could anyone live for maybe two years or even ten?
The second book, "Resource Control", is available for pre-order on Amazon and should be available o/a 30 June 2023. I'll be adding it to my reading list.
FISA was not trying to convene a meeting of all these entities in order to create the New Lunar Accord. It was hoped that this new Accord would finally spell out where everyone stood in relation to colonizing and exploiting the moon. The moon contains a vast amount of resources that the Earth needs and it has been providing such through these various entities, but it was getting to the point that some were stepping on each others toes, so lines needed to be draw or fighting might just breakout and that nobody or almost nobody wanted.
Currently, you'll find out that Earth has been busy sending many, many things into Near Earth Orbit (NEO) as well as Medium, and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (MEO and GEO, respectively). All of this "stuff" has and is being tracked by MASTERM, a government organization. They are also now aware of some building solar activity that could have an impact on some of the orbiting satellites and even space station above Earth.
One such orbiting installation is the Axial Luxor, a luxury orbital lunar hotel, where Selene Mene, Associate Director of FISA, is trying to convene the aforementioned New Lunar Accord meeting. She has been told about the impending solar activity, but at this point, she doesn't see that it has any effect on convening the meeting. Depending on how long the solar flare last, those aboard the orbiting hotel will have to seek shelter in one of the more protected areas that have been designated and built for that purpose. She really needs to get all the players to these meetings if she and others hope to prevent the eventual fighting over lunar resources.
Meanwhile, her nephew, Renton Hicks, is aboard the maintenance ship Aurora attempting to survey an old hunk of Lunar orbiting machinery formerly known as the Lunar Gateway. The survey is being made by remotely controlled drones which he and his fellow engineers are controlling. They also have been informed of the impending solar activity and believe they will be done and back to Earth before that becomes a concern. That is until something unexpected happens. One of the drones has malfunctioned and struck the Lunar Gateway now sending it on a orbit to crash into the moon. The crew Renton works with is going to have to stop that before it happens which will take time.
Back on Earth, the solar activity is becoming something of a concern. It might be much larger than expected and if so, it might last longer and be of greater danger to those not currently on Earth. It could even affect any electrical equipment on Earth and definitely affect orbiting satellites and space stations. As reports keep coming in on the magnitude of this pending solar activity, it gets increasingly worse. While MASTERM can predict when and where 90% of the space objects and junk is in relation to each other, they cannot won't be able to do much if these objects start crashing into each other if they are killed by the solar activity. This could cascade into catastrophic event if all of these orbiting satellites smashed into each other causing even more space junk to smash into everything else. It eventually could lead to an almost impenetrable shield around Earth that contains hunks of metal moving at 27,000 mph. No one would be leaving or coming back to Earth in that case.
So, now you know the situation, now you can read to see what exactly happens to everyone involved. Most of all, you'll read about what happens to young Renton Hicks and the maintenance team that got caught up in all this even though they are the ones least informed of what was happening. Space is pretty unforgiving and humans can't exist for very long unless they have made plans to do so, but could anyone live for maybe two years or even ten?
The second book, "Resource Control", is available for pre-order on Amazon and should be available o/a 30 June 2023. I'll be adding it to my reading list.
January 16, 2023
Back in 1859, a coronal mass ejection from the sun showered Earth with a torrent of highly charged subatomic particles. The widespread use of electricity was decades in the future, so the impact of what came to be called the Carrington Event was limited. But scientists—and some science fiction writers—are intensely aware that a similar event in the 21st century could disable everything electronic on Earth. The author David Koepp dramatized the impact on our planetary civilization in his 2022 novel, Aurora. And Gerald M. Kilby moves the scene of the action into Earth’s atmosphere and onto the moon in Solar Storm: Moon Base Delta. It’s the first book in a projected series set on the moon.
INTENSE SOLAR RADIATION THREATENS A CREW IN LUNAR ORBIT
Renton Hicks is “fresh out of training” on his first trip in space. He’s a junior engineer in the crew of a maintenance ship approaching the ancient Lunar Gateway when a series of intense bursts of solar radiation begins to hinder their work. Soon, disaster strikes, killing one member of the ship’s crew and threatening the others. Even worse, a solar flare causes equipment to malfunction, and soon the Lunar Gateway is hurtling toward the surface of the moon and total destruction. Renton and his crew-mates battle against time to save the station . . . and themselves. And even worse is to come.
GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS ALIKE ARE BATTLING FOR THE MOON’S RESOURCES
Meanwhile, the scene shifts to the five-star Axial Luxor, an Egyptian-themed luxury hotel in lunar orbit. There, Selene Mene is working around the clock to conclude negotiations on the redrafting of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. Selene is Associate Director of the Federation of International Space Agencies (FISA), presiding at the negotiations. All the major powers have sent delegations to the Axial Luxor, including SINO, FISA itself, INDOCON (a consortium of Indian space interests), and CASA (the Combined Arabian Space Alliance). Major corporations are there, too, including the “mighty industrial conglomerate, Xilinex.” The stakes are immense, because the moon is the source of abundant Helium 3, the fuel needed for fusion energy. And then the Carrington Event strikes, wreaking havoc on the hotel and threatening life on the moon as well as on Earth.
Author Gerald Kilby follows Renton Hicks and Selene Mene in alternating chapters as they fight for their lives in space and on the moon. The suspense in Moon Base Delta constantly builds, and the story thunders toward an explosive conclusion. Kilby is strong on plotting. Unfortunately, his prose leaves a lot to be desired. And a few errors intrude in the story. But all in all it’s a great read for any fan of hard science fiction. And it’s just the first book in Kilby’s series set on the moon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The bio blurb on Gerald M. Kilby‘s author website reads as follows: “Gerald M. Kilby grew up on a diet of Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, and Frank Herbert, which developed into a taste for Iain M. Banks and everything ever written by Neal Stephenson. Understandable then, that he should choose science fiction as his weapon of choice when entering the fray of storytelling.
“Chain Reaction is his first novel and is very much in the old-school techno-thriller style while his latest book series, Moon Base Delta, Colony Mars, and The Belt are all best sellers, topping Amazon charts for Hard Science Fiction and Space Exploration.” [Note: Amazon lists three series including a total of fourteen books.]
“He lives in the city of Dublin, Ireland, in the same neighborhood as Bram Stoker and can be sometimes seen tapping away on a laptop in the local cafe with his dog Loki.” However, there is no information about where Kilby was born, raised, and educated.
INTENSE SOLAR RADIATION THREATENS A CREW IN LUNAR ORBIT
Renton Hicks is “fresh out of training” on his first trip in space. He’s a junior engineer in the crew of a maintenance ship approaching the ancient Lunar Gateway when a series of intense bursts of solar radiation begins to hinder their work. Soon, disaster strikes, killing one member of the ship’s crew and threatening the others. Even worse, a solar flare causes equipment to malfunction, and soon the Lunar Gateway is hurtling toward the surface of the moon and total destruction. Renton and his crew-mates battle against time to save the station . . . and themselves. And even worse is to come.
GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS ALIKE ARE BATTLING FOR THE MOON’S RESOURCES
Meanwhile, the scene shifts to the five-star Axial Luxor, an Egyptian-themed luxury hotel in lunar orbit. There, Selene Mene is working around the clock to conclude negotiations on the redrafting of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. Selene is Associate Director of the Federation of International Space Agencies (FISA), presiding at the negotiations. All the major powers have sent delegations to the Axial Luxor, including SINO, FISA itself, INDOCON (a consortium of Indian space interests), and CASA (the Combined Arabian Space Alliance). Major corporations are there, too, including the “mighty industrial conglomerate, Xilinex.” The stakes are immense, because the moon is the source of abundant Helium 3, the fuel needed for fusion energy. And then the Carrington Event strikes, wreaking havoc on the hotel and threatening life on the moon as well as on Earth.
Author Gerald Kilby follows Renton Hicks and Selene Mene in alternating chapters as they fight for their lives in space and on the moon. The suspense in Moon Base Delta constantly builds, and the story thunders toward an explosive conclusion. Kilby is strong on plotting. Unfortunately, his prose leaves a lot to be desired. And a few errors intrude in the story. But all in all it’s a great read for any fan of hard science fiction. And it’s just the first book in Kilby’s series set on the moon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The bio blurb on Gerald M. Kilby‘s author website reads as follows: “Gerald M. Kilby grew up on a diet of Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, and Frank Herbert, which developed into a taste for Iain M. Banks and everything ever written by Neal Stephenson. Understandable then, that he should choose science fiction as his weapon of choice when entering the fray of storytelling.
“Chain Reaction is his first novel and is very much in the old-school techno-thriller style while his latest book series, Moon Base Delta, Colony Mars, and The Belt are all best sellers, topping Amazon charts for Hard Science Fiction and Space Exploration.” [Note: Amazon lists three series including a total of fourteen books.]
“He lives in the city of Dublin, Ireland, in the same neighborhood as Bram Stoker and can be sometimes seen tapping away on a laptop in the local cafe with his dog Loki.” However, there is no information about where Kilby was born, raised, and educated.
October 2, 2023
Highly recommended as your next beach read (or commute read or audiobook companion while cleaning your house etc.). Wish I could give 3.5 stars because it's clearly above average but not exceptional (4 stars) or an earth-shattering amazing paradigm shift (5 stars)
The negatives first: Yes, the prose is workmanlike with some minor blemishes (think of sentences like "the air rapidly left the compartment as it rapidly decompressed") and the characters lack flavor to make them pop. However, despite these flaws, the actual foundation of the story is more than solid.
The plot is cleverly constructed, putting the protagonists in lots of difficult situations of varying sorts at a steady clip, never lingering too much before moving on. You have the people on the moon engineering the shit out of various problems, you have people on Earth having to deal with the dire reality of some catastrophic events, and you have people on a space station having to deal with politics. So, lots of variety and different scenarios.
The characters, while a tad bland, do the right thing and say the right thing. The protagonist, slowly turning into a "hero" or "leader" of some sorts, never becomes overbearing or obnoxious. And thank the living stars that we seem to be finally over the horrible trope of "Tech Guy making nerdy pop cultural references and dad jokes to make them relatable" (aka "Joss Whedon's Horrible Legacy"). Overall, the cast is friendly and approachable, yes, but they are also grown-ups having to deal with shit. The main villain, while having shades of Flash Gordon villainy, never becomes too much of a caricature. It is clearly stated where he comes from, and there are clear, realistic signs to explain why he is the way he is and why he starts to drift into the subtly unhinged territory.
So yeah, if you want something to tide you over before the next publication by your most favorite author, give it a try. While this might sound like damming with faint praise, it's anything but. While it's nice looking for the next exceptional author to define the scifi genre with their book for the next decade, a good scifi yarn that is just there to entertain has merit on its own.
The negatives first: Yes, the prose is workmanlike with some minor blemishes (think of sentences like "the air rapidly left the compartment as it rapidly decompressed") and the characters lack flavor to make them pop. However, despite these flaws, the actual foundation of the story is more than solid.
The plot is cleverly constructed, putting the protagonists in lots of difficult situations of varying sorts at a steady clip, never lingering too much before moving on. You have the people on the moon engineering the shit out of various problems, you have people on Earth having to deal with the dire reality of some catastrophic events, and you have people on a space station having to deal with politics. So, lots of variety and different scenarios.
The characters, while a tad bland, do the right thing and say the right thing. The protagonist, slowly turning into a "hero" or "leader" of some sorts, never becomes overbearing or obnoxious. And thank the living stars that we seem to be finally over the horrible trope of "Tech Guy making nerdy pop cultural references and dad jokes to make them relatable" (aka "Joss Whedon's Horrible Legacy"). Overall, the cast is friendly and approachable, yes, but they are also grown-ups having to deal with shit. The main villain, while having shades of Flash Gordon villainy, never becomes too much of a caricature. It is clearly stated where he comes from, and there are clear, realistic signs to explain why he is the way he is and why he starts to drift into the subtly unhinged territory.
So yeah, if you want something to tide you over before the next publication by your most favorite author, give it a try. While this might sound like damming with faint praise, it's anything but. While it's nice looking for the next exceptional author to define the scifi genre with their book for the next decade, a good scifi yarn that is just there to entertain has merit on its own.
June 26, 2025
Good story. Needs an editor.
This is the second book by the author that I've read. My reaction to this one is the same as to the first. Kirby is a very good story teller but he really should employ an editor before presenting his works to the public. (If he has an editor, he should find someone else.)
Before I present some examples of why I think this, I want to emphasize that I enjoyed this book. It is fast paced, scientifically plausible, has an interesting plot and realistic characters. The catastrophic event that launches the plot is all too realistic and believable. It's a shame to have an otherwise good story diminished by easily correctable mistakes that a competent copy editor would have caught. One or two is probably inevitable in a self-published work but I tallied at least twenty.
Example 1:
...nowhere was this expansion most evident than on the lunar surface.
Example 2:
...there were far less cars on the road...
Example 3:
...packed up on all sides with a density of material...
There are lots more. Typos, bad grammar, poor word usage, redundancies. Not terribly egregious, but still annoying.
Also, there is one plot hole that will be a little harder to correct.
After the good guys manage to seal out two well armed hostile groups, they blithely go out unarmed to hold a burial ceremony with no concern for the fact that both groups of bad guys are still around and still want to eliminate them.
Despite these irritants, this is a good book. I'll be reading the sequel.
This is the second book by the author that I've read. My reaction to this one is the same as to the first. Kirby is a very good story teller but he really should employ an editor before presenting his works to the public. (If he has an editor, he should find someone else.)
Before I present some examples of why I think this, I want to emphasize that I enjoyed this book. It is fast paced, scientifically plausible, has an interesting plot and realistic characters. The catastrophic event that launches the plot is all too realistic and believable. It's a shame to have an otherwise good story diminished by easily correctable mistakes that a competent copy editor would have caught. One or two is probably inevitable in a self-published work but I tallied at least twenty.
Example 1:
...nowhere was this expansion most evident than on the lunar surface.
Example 2:
...there were far less cars on the road...
Example 3:
...packed up on all sides with a density of material...
There are lots more. Typos, bad grammar, poor word usage, redundancies. Not terribly egregious, but still annoying.
Also, there is one plot hole that will be a little harder to correct.
After the good guys manage to seal out two well armed hostile groups, they blithely go out unarmed to hold a burial ceremony with no concern for the fact that both groups of bad guys are still around and still want to eliminate them.
Despite these irritants, this is a good book. I'll be reading the sequel.
June 9, 2023
SciFi with A LOT of Politics Thrown In
This books starts out with a not-too-favorable description for the guy who becomes the Main Character. But, he certainly grows into the position and is thrust into many, fast-paced scenarios.
It takes a while for the subject of the book's title to take shape, so I think the story could have been told better with far less politics and build-up.
But, I also think the political fighting (both internal and external) inhibits the tale itself, and weakens the plot. I will say, though, that I believe The Author did a good job of spreading death and destruction all around, and he did not pick on just the lesser known characters.
On a different subject, though -- I know a few things about Earth-orbiting objects and the feared conditions presented in this book. But, I'm pretty sure that while a wide band of Equatorial Orbits may have the potential for the disaster presented here by The Author -- it seems to me that he completely ignored the far fewer satellites in Polar Orbits, and that these regions present great opportunities for spacecraft to transition to or from the ground.
Overall, I enjoyed this book more than others I've read by the same Author, but I don't think I'm inclined to pursue the other stories in the trilogy.
This books starts out with a not-too-favorable description for the guy who becomes the Main Character. But, he certainly grows into the position and is thrust into many, fast-paced scenarios.
It takes a while for the subject of the book's title to take shape, so I think the story could have been told better with far less politics and build-up.
But, I also think the political fighting (both internal and external) inhibits the tale itself, and weakens the plot. I will say, though, that I believe The Author did a good job of spreading death and destruction all around, and he did not pick on just the lesser known characters.
On a different subject, though -- I know a few things about Earth-orbiting objects and the feared conditions presented in this book. But, I'm pretty sure that while a wide band of Equatorial Orbits may have the potential for the disaster presented here by The Author -- it seems to me that he completely ignored the far fewer satellites in Polar Orbits, and that these regions present great opportunities for spacecraft to transition to or from the ground.
Overall, I enjoyed this book more than others I've read by the same Author, but I don't think I'm inclined to pursue the other stories in the trilogy.
September 6, 2025
"the general speed of an object in that debris field will be traveling at approximately seven meters per second. Even a fleck of paint can cause damage at that velocity."
"[the stray hex bolt] slammed into it at seven meters per second, shattering [the satellite]."
7 m/s, huh? That's about 25 km/hr, 15 miles per hour.
- The speed a mediocre high school track team member like me ran in the 100 m sprint.
- The speed a bowling ball rolls down the lane.
- The speed at which something dropped from just 8 feet (2.5 m) hits the ground.
That's not doing any damage. Nerf darts travel faster.
I thought it was a typo the first time, but then it was repeated... I'm poking a little fun, but this is a pretty glaring science error for a science-fiction book.
That is kind of reflective of the editing in this book, though, there are multiple word choices, grammar errors, etc., that would benefit from a better editor. Like that first quote - "the general of an object ... will be traveling...".
Overall though, I enjoyed the book. A little slow to get started, and the characters are a little one-dimensional, but overall enjoyable.
"[the stray hex bolt] slammed into it at seven meters per second, shattering [the satellite]."
7 m/s, huh? That's about 25 km/hr, 15 miles per hour.
- The speed a mediocre high school track team member like me ran in the 100 m sprint.
- The speed a bowling ball rolls down the lane.
- The speed at which something dropped from just 8 feet (2.5 m) hits the ground.
That's not doing any damage. Nerf darts travel faster.
I thought it was a typo the first time, but then it was repeated... I'm poking a little fun, but this is a pretty glaring science error for a science-fiction book.
That is kind of reflective of the editing in this book, though, there are multiple word choices, grammar errors, etc., that would benefit from a better editor. Like that first quote - "the general of an object ... will be traveling...".
Overall though, I enjoyed the book. A little slow to get started, and the characters are a little one-dimensional, but overall enjoyable.
December 27, 2023
Solar storm wreaks havoc on Earth and moon!
Earth is meeting to discuss how the moon and other areas of space will be divided when a solar storm is forecast that will wreak havoc on Earth and the moon. Moonbase Delta has been decommissioned but can be reactivated and may end up being some people's last hope as a cascade effect creates a field of debris around the Earth preventing anything from leaving or returning.... We follow several different groups as they respond to the impending crisis and its onset. This novel is an entertaining and thought-provoking read highlighting the inherent problem of a world dependent on satellite communications....
There is mystery, murder, accidents, espionage, secret codes, surprising events, collisions and much more in this first novel of the series. A fun read.
Earth is meeting to discuss how the moon and other areas of space will be divided when a solar storm is forecast that will wreak havoc on Earth and the moon. Moonbase Delta has been decommissioned but can be reactivated and may end up being some people's last hope as a cascade effect creates a field of debris around the Earth preventing anything from leaving or returning.... We follow several different groups as they respond to the impending crisis and its onset. This novel is an entertaining and thought-provoking read highlighting the inherent problem of a world dependent on satellite communications....
There is mystery, murder, accidents, espionage, secret codes, surprising events, collisions and much more in this first novel of the series. A fun read.
April 13, 2024
The writer is a Dublin author and as a Dubliner myself, I’m reminded of the twin towers in Ringsend when he is describing Renton’s recollection of his home on earth.
The names are spectacular - the Dizzy Corporation, Yuna Djinn, Cristoforetti. I’m reminded a little of Robert Ludlum’s thrillers as I delve deeper into this science fiction tale.
I like the references to old stuff in a modern story - the Dutch East India Company, the Tutankhamen Suite, the Axial Luxor, ancient Egypt. More going back to the past with Shackleton - the Irish explorer. Brilliant stuff!
This book is a real page turner that sets itself up nicely for a sequel which is available by preorder seemingly.
Very like Ludlum, Kilby is a master of his craft in the science fiction world. Solar Storm carries plenty of pace and tension coupled with excellent characterisation.
The names are spectacular - the Dizzy Corporation, Yuna Djinn, Cristoforetti. I’m reminded a little of Robert Ludlum’s thrillers as I delve deeper into this science fiction tale.
I like the references to old stuff in a modern story - the Dutch East India Company, the Tutankhamen Suite, the Axial Luxor, ancient Egypt. More going back to the past with Shackleton - the Irish explorer. Brilliant stuff!
This book is a real page turner that sets itself up nicely for a sequel which is available by preorder seemingly.
Very like Ludlum, Kilby is a master of his craft in the science fiction world. Solar Storm carries plenty of pace and tension coupled with excellent characterisation.
March 28, 2025
After reading the Colony Series I was hungry to find not just a ”fast food” Sci-Fi story but to read a story which offered a multi-course approach to adventure, surprises, storyline with believability, researched potential of reality and a well described number of characters Author Kilby was spot on. Politicians, statisticians, engineers, military, electronic technicians, a mix of several ethnic backgrounds and a few narcissistic control freaks ( a sampling of today’s society ). Spin all this together with where we’ve progressed today and to where we can believe we are headed in the not to distant future and we have a book that is hard to put down. The fact the hero is a common, young, limited experienced engineer only adds to rooting for the “good guys”. The second book went to bed with me the evening of March 12th. VR, Mags
December 2, 2023
Realistic View of the Beginning of the End
This story starts off slowly to build character development and to give a good sense of the state of diplomacy and hierarchy within the space-faring communities during that period of time.
The pace picks up just a bit past the mid point and then kicks into overdrive to the point where it is nearly impossible to put down.
I have read many of Kilby's books to include his incredible saga, Colony Mars, but from the impression I have after reading this first book in the Moon Base Delta series, this will no doubt rival the Colony Mars series.
This story starts off slowly to build character development and to give a good sense of the state of diplomacy and hierarchy within the space-faring communities during that period of time.
The pace picks up just a bit past the mid point and then kicks into overdrive to the point where it is nearly impossible to put down.
I have read many of Kilby's books to include his incredible saga, Colony Mars, but from the impression I have after reading this first book in the Moon Base Delta series, this will no doubt rival the Colony Mars series.
November 24, 2024
I've read better, I've read worse
I'm not a much of a fan of "buy the next book to see what happens." But, it seems that this is what authors are doing these days - another book every ninety days in an endless stream. At least they usually have a semi-conclusion for the ending of each book. This volume just seems to ramble onward and, to me, seemed to be just so much foo-foo with no meat. Still, I did get some enjoyment from it, hence my 3-star rating. Will I read the next book in the series? Probably not, since this appears to be volume one of an endless series and none of the characters really endeared themselves to me.
I'm not a much of a fan of "buy the next book to see what happens." But, it seems that this is what authors are doing these days - another book every ninety days in an endless stream. At least they usually have a semi-conclusion for the ending of each book. This volume just seems to ramble onward and, to me, seemed to be just so much foo-foo with no meat. Still, I did get some enjoyment from it, hence my 3-star rating. Will I read the next book in the series? Probably not, since this appears to be volume one of an endless series and none of the characters really endeared themselves to me.
March 16, 2025
EMP apocalypse in space
I have read several novels and scholarly papers on the effects of a Carrington Event on the electricity grid caused by an electromagnetic pulse or coronal mass ejection. Never before did I think about what this might entail for extra-terrestrial colonists on other planets and orbital platforms. It would be similar to the Jamestown and Plymouth colonies in America if a new Black Death plague depopulated Europe and crashed civilization. What a different story that would have been.
I have read several novels and scholarly papers on the effects of a Carrington Event on the electricity grid caused by an electromagnetic pulse or coronal mass ejection. Never before did I think about what this might entail for extra-terrestrial colonists on other planets and orbital platforms. It would be similar to the Jamestown and Plymouth colonies in America if a new Black Death plague depopulated Europe and crashed civilization. What a different story that would have been.
December 25, 2022
I loved this book. Interesting to think of people living on the moon and space stations up there as well. But I always find it difficult to think of such a variety of companies that can't get along. Ri-i-ight. And I love the delivery system for the Helium-3. But Renton and his allies have a lot to do before being overtaken by some of those nasty companies. Gerald M. Kilby has created a wonderful story and I was saddened by running out of pages to read. Looking forward to summer time to get the next book in this series.
December 4, 2023
The primary reason I only gave this book three stars is because the ending leaves you hanging. I realize this is the first book of a series; however, I have read other series where each book can stand alone, and that is what I prefer. This book did not have a specific end point. It was as though someone said "We have reached a sufficient length to publish this so let's stop there." Otherwise, I enjoyed the book.
February 25, 2024
A large solar flare is about to hit the moon and then Earth. What no one knows is that this is a SUPER solar flare that could impact satelites on Earth and fry circuits on the Moon.
Soon the flare hits and knocks out most of the electronics on the Moon but the effects on Earth are more severe.
Soon its a stampede to leave the Moon and get back to Earth, but there is a problem!!
Great characters and a great story line. RECOMMENDED.
Looking forward to the second book in the series
Soon the flare hits and knocks out most of the electronics on the Moon but the effects on Earth are more severe.
Soon its a stampede to leave the Moon and get back to Earth, but there is a problem!!
Great characters and a great story line. RECOMMENDED.
Looking forward to the second book in the series
April 7, 2024
Outstanding book. Reads like classic science fiction, with lots of action and drama. The setting on the Moon at the Sea of Tranquility, site of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, made it even more compelling. Good characters I came to care for, in life-risking situations, and I was never sure they would survive the challenges they faced. I spent late nights reading and thoroughly enjoyed it. Will be getting Volume Two.
March 25, 2025
Orientated, seriously?
I couldn't handle it. I enjoyed the Mars series and the belt series from this author, but I couldn't handle it when he said over and over the non-word, "orientated" or "reorientated." It's oriented or reoriented. There were some other issues also, but this one irked me to no end.
But I will still be reading the rest of the series, just hoping for no more of this nonsense.
I couldn't handle it. I enjoyed the Mars series and the belt series from this author, but I couldn't handle it when he said over and over the non-word, "orientated" or "reorientated." It's oriented or reoriented. There were some other issues also, but this one irked me to no end.
But I will still be reading the rest of the series, just hoping for no more of this nonsense.
December 22, 2022
Another smash hit. Will be taking the next installment as soon as it lands.
Looks like it's set in the same "world" as Mars colony and the belt, which is great news.
I look forward to the next series set after the belt, and it would be great if the author makes another series to slot in between Mars and belt series..
I highly recommend reading all these.
5 stars!
Looks like it's set in the same "world" as Mars colony and the belt, which is great news.
I look forward to the next series set after the belt, and it would be great if the author makes another series to slot in between Mars and belt series..
I highly recommend reading all these.
5 stars!
October 8, 2023
Spoilers
Such drab writing for a promising storytime, the first couple of chapters are about people describing how a important meeting is going to take place, that's all they do talk about the important meeting, there's a huge flare coming but let's talk about this meeting, did I mention the meeting that never seems to start! excruciatingly slow and boring 2D characters.
Such drab writing for a promising storytime, the first couple of chapters are about people describing how a important meeting is going to take place, that's all they do talk about the important meeting, there's a huge flare coming but let's talk about this meeting, did I mention the meeting that never seems to start! excruciatingly slow and boring 2D characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2023
2.5 stars. Reminded me of Critical Mass (Moon!) obviously, and that one was okayish at best, but still better than this one, which I found rather generic.
January 11, 2024
Very good, I enjoyed it. It started off a bit on the slow side, with a lot of political maneuvering and machinations, but gained momentum as it progressed. Well-rounded and relatable characters made for a thrilling, suspenseful and interesting premise. It got me hooked, and I shall be reading the next one as soon as possible.
December 31, 2022
Great read, good characters,action holds your attention. Want to continue reading, care about the next twists in the plot.
I am a fan of the author and am interested in anything he writes.I hope that this will be a multi book series.
I am a fan of the author and am interested in anything he writes.I hope that this will be a multi book series.
January 1, 2023
Good Start of a New Series
Good Start to a new series based on the moon that orbits our planet earth. The Moon, is kind of a character, in this book. I will read the next book in this series.
Good Start to a new series based on the moon that orbits our planet earth. The Moon, is kind of a character, in this book. I will read the next book in this series.
January 18, 2023
SOLAR STORM - good story!
This was an enjoyable adventure to read about. It had an interesting storyline and was written without profanity or unnecessary sidebars. I would highly recommend this series starter to anyone wanting to begin reading sci-fi.
This was an enjoyable adventure to read about. It had an interesting storyline and was written without profanity or unnecessary sidebars. I would highly recommend this series starter to anyone wanting to begin reading sci-fi.
February 16, 2023
New twist on a story!
Was not expecting to be caught up in this plot as I have read a couple of similar stories. After s couple of chapters I was totally hooked and enjoyed the book!
Was not expecting to be caught up in this plot as I have read a couple of similar stories. After s couple of chapters I was totally hooked and enjoyed the book!
June 22, 2023
A good solid SF story. It drags a little bit in places, some of the "science" was a little out there (physics still rules in the future, right) but overall an enjoyable read.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes SciFi.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes SciFi.
July 2, 2023
Some of the story seems illogical but that is expected in a technologically advanced storyline. Purchased this item on June 6, 2023, for $1.06. Worth the read as there are some interesting futures considered.
August 2, 2023
Shallow
It was okay, I'm glad I read it.
But the characters were one dimensional, there was a lack of good editing, and I found many of the author's technological assumptions to frankly be too implausible to make good science fiction. I don't plan to read the rest of the series.
It was okay, I'm glad I read it.
But the characters were one dimensional, there was a lack of good editing, and I found many of the author's technological assumptions to frankly be too implausible to make good science fiction. I don't plan to read the rest of the series.
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