Labyrinth of Night

Near Space #4

by Allen M. Steele

Years after a NASA probe had spied a city on the surface of Mars, a team of explorers penetrates that city and discovers a labyrinth filled with ancient alien relics. Reissue.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Amazon, Fantasy

344 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 11, 1992

About the author

Before becoming a science fiction writer, Allen Steele was a journalist for newspapers and magazines in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Missouri, and his home state of Tennessee. But science fiction was his first love, so he eventually ditched journalism and began producing that which had made him decide to become a writer in the first place.

Since then, Steele has published eighteen novels and nearly one hundred short stories. His work has received numerous accolades, including three Hugo Awards, and has been translated worldwide, mainly into languages he can’t read. He serves on the board of advisors for the Space Frontier Foundation and is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He also belongs to Sigma, a group of science fiction writers who frequently serve as unpaid consultants on matters regarding technology and security.

Allen Steele is a lifelong space buff, and this interest has not only influenced his writing, it has taken him to some interesting places. He has witnessed numerous space shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center and has flown NASA’s shuttle cockpit simulator at the Johnson Space Center. In 2001, he testified before the US House of Representatives in hearings regarding the future of space exploration. He would like very much to go into orbit, and hopes that one day he’ll be able to afford to do so.

Steele lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, Linda, and a continual procession of adopted dogs. He collects vintage science fiction books and magazines, spacecraft model kits, and dreams.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is roughly 2030 and we return to the near space universe, but this time to Mars. Steele acknowledges in the intro that this novel is based upon the face on Mars (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cydonia_%28Mars%29 and the possibilities of an alien visit to Mars. In Labyrinth of Night, the face is surrounded by several pyramids definitely not of natural origin. A small scientific base is established by a multinational group of scientists to study the phenomena and they discover an entrance to one of the pyramids that leads to a series of connected rooms, all booby-trapped and ancient. They also find some (although not much) remains of the aliens, dubbed 'cooties' by the scientists. Years of study ensue before they finally reach the end under the tunnel and have contact with robot-like creatures.

If you can buy the premise (shaky as even the author admits), Steele presents us with a classic adventure story almost right out of the Golden Age of science fiction (albeit with the craft of modern, hard science fiction). The scientific base has become a point of contention among the powers that be on Earth-- the possibility of alien tech is a big draw-- and after a clash, the Americans now lead the team under military supervision. The main guy in charge, however, seems to be losing it, and Spacecorp sends a spy to find out what exactly is going on; unbeknown to the spy, a second spy is also sent by Japan. The spies arrive on Mars and head out to the science base by the face. Lots of tense action!

Steele is really a master craftsman of hard science fiction, and even though the characters are a little thin, the story moves right along. This is definitely more speculative than his other Near Space novels, involving alien intelligence after all. Perhaps it could be called a novel of first contact. In any case, a fun read, although the Mars/alien trope might be a bit much to swallow for some. 3.5 stars rounding to 4.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recent Reads: Labyrinth of Night. Allen Steele takes his Near Space series to Mars, and a mishandled first contact under the pyramids of Cydonia. Why did the aliens come to Mars so long ago, and why are people dying to find out. Hard SF meets horror in the cold of Mars.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labyrinth of Night is a great old-fashioned science fiction exploration adventure, very nicely plotted and put together. Steele's passion for science and music and the spirit of classic science fiction's Mars shines through-out. The technological advances in computers has left it a bit dated, but it's still a fun read.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Near Space series by Allen Steele. In this one mankind has established scientific bases on Mars. One of the bases is set up to investigate the "Face" on Mars and the pyramids that are near it. It has been discovered that a race of insect like aliens from another star system colonized Mars and then mysteriously died off leaving the "Face" for mankind to find. What starts out as an international effort soon reverts to the nations involved trying to take over the sight for their own benefit. The scientists involved have other ideas however. This is an exciting tale with secret agents and unlikely heroes. I recommend it to fans of Allen Steele.

[Steve Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Steele's best for sure, but a quick fun read. Fans of Heinlein or Clarke the great days of 20th-century sci-fi will enjoy this much more than others. Definitely a niche genre novel. That said, it is based on Mars and the premise is interesting. The science is good and believable. The characters are a little flat and stereotyped, but totally in line with golden era sci-fi. It builds a little slowly and ends quickly.

[Woolstar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This doesn't feel like one story, but more like a couple of serials stitched together. We have alien artifacts, scientists, and then governments poking each other. Sad to say thirty years later, our governments are behaving any better in real life then the ones in the stories.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Builds a story of personal conflict around nations dealing with discovering ancient alien presence on Mars.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dark for me, but the story overall was very good.

[Mal Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another in the series apparently written to emulate sci fi of the 50s or early 60s. Again, I could not get past the writing style to really enjoy the story. 2.5 stars

[Charl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Not as much as some of his other Near Space stories, but it's still good.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I plowed my way through this whole book, hoping the interesting
idea would pull the confusing writing together, not. This takes place
in about 25 years from now, but was written in 1992. I guess they did
not think science would advance much except for the going to other
planets part, because people still used cds and floppy discs. That
was kind of fun. Otherwise, it concentrated on people being bad
to each other, and craziness.

[Andreas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfocused effort set on Mars, as humans try to solve the riddle of the Cydonia pyramids and the Face of Mars (no, they don’t exist in reality). While the writing is good, and some parts are pretty decent, the whole novel doesn’t really go anywhere.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1311

[M.k. Yost · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's just hard to read a novel about aliens on Mars these days, and Steele himself acknowledges in the beginning of the book that he is using the old image of "The Face" on Mars and disregarding current scientific data.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1992 by Ace this is a bit of a throwback. The story is interesting from the standpoint that we have many unknowns in the aliens involved. It was entertaining. Biggest beef with it...the fonts used were really small and made it hard to read but then - it was 1992...

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

only got halfway through. Will try again.

[Mark Baller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great old space drama with secret agents - aliens - rock music - battles and love affairs Loved it really!