Saturn Run by John Sandford
and Ctein can best be described as a thriller that takes place
in space. It is obvious the authors strove to make this story
realistic. Some may put it in the science fiction genre but
that is only because there are real scientific concepts in
a plausible fictional thriller story.
The authors commented they met through a photography website,
the Online Photography and became friends. Because Sandford
wanted to venture into the science fiction world he decided
to consult Ctein who has a dual degree in English and Physics
from Caltech. He obviously wrote the science parts and the
two collaborated on the rest of the book. But, Sandford wrote
in the character, Fiorella, an L. A. Times reporter, to explain
science to the reader as she explains it to her audience on
the ground. This was a real way to say what the engineer,
Captain, photographer Sandy, and scientists were doing.
Portions of the book have a very detailed explanation of the
technology and science used. For some who are bogged down
with too much content, they can skip over those details since
they are clustered together. Others will enjoy the particulars
of how the spacecrafts and their engines are built. In the
author’s note at the end of the book is a description
of the science behind the story. This includes the authors'
philosophy regarding the science and technology, along with
pertinent reference points for those who want to know more,
an explanation of the actual science behind the fiction. Another
way the authors made the science and technology more understandable
is through the character Cassandra Fiorella’s eyes.
She is an on board space journalist that sends back reports
to Earth, explaining in layman terms the science and technology.
The plot begins fifty years into the future when a Caltech
employee notices an anomaly from a space telescope. Officials
come to an inescapable conclusion; a space ship is headed
for Saturn. A race begins between the US and China to see
which country will get to Saturn first to discover the alien
technology. A quickly assembled crew is chosen for the adventure
of traveling to that planet and confronting the unknown extraterrestrial.
The conflict arises when the Chinese are not content to allow
the Americans to gain the advantage and put themselves at
a disadvantage. This is where the action intensifies as the
authors explore the questions: Should the Earth nations work
as a community or work for their own benefit, and should space
law take the same rules from Maritime law?
Sandford explained the “target audience is people who
read authors like Michael Crichton. He wrote dinosaur books,
but was really talking of a way of using DNA to recreate animals,
the ability to create a whole new species. Then there is John
Grisham who has nailed down the lawyer market. I hope we get
readers from the fields of computer programmers, engineers,
and scientists that are interested in science fiction but
want realism. But we also want to appeal to thriller fans.
I think the closest novel like this book is The Hunt For Red
October by Tom Clancy. The technology of the submarine is
advanced but very possible. It is about the struggle between
countries and what must be done to return home.”
The authors are hoping readers will not know who wrote what
scenes and which characters. Obviously, Ctein wrote the science
parts because he is an expert who wrote articles on computer
and space technology. However, Sandford, a photography enthusiast,
wrote many of the scenes involving the description of cameras
and their abilities.
The characters are a potpourri of personalities and professions.
The main character is Sandy, a super rich, good looking ladies
man, a patriot, and a surfer dude. He is the direct opposite
of Crow, the security chief who is unfriendly and tends to
look at everything as a threat. Dr. Rebecca Johansson, who
readers will know as Becca, is the one readers will most identify
with. The Captain of the ship is Naomi Fang-Castro, whom the
authors refer to by her last name throughout most of the story.
She is very formal, makes it clear she is in a position of
command, and believes in absolute discipline.
The authors commented on their desire to travel to space.
Sandford told blackfive.net, it does not “appeal to
me, being confined in what I see as a giant cigar tube. I
had an experience as a reporter when I went on this airplane
that flew back and forth between Cuba and the US. They were
looking for drug planes and any incursion aircraft from Cuba.
We were stuffed in for eight hours and there were no windows.
I realized I wanted to be able to go outside. The danger would
not bother me since I landed in tight areas in Iraq on a Black
Hawk helicopter.” On the other hand, Ctein would go
up in a minute.
Saturn Run is a tale of courage, treachery, and takes
readers on a ride through space. The best parts are the descriptions
of how the crew finds their strength and wits against formidable
adversaries. An added bonus is the cool cover of the book
that is almost in 3-D and seems to be a photographic representation
of the technology developed, “the ribbons,” used
to help power the spaceship.
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