Teaser

Seeking to prevent the end of organic life in the galaxy, a crew of humans encounters a world inhabited only by machines. These machines have the potential to be a great ally, but they must first be convinced that humanity is worth saving . . .

Review

One of the many things I’ve enjoyed about Ben Bova’s Star Quest is the way it brings new ideas to the Grand Tour universe. We’ve had books about humanity settling the solar system, and now it’s time to figure out our place in the galaxy as a whole. So far we’ve handled humanity’s duty of care over less advanced civilisations, and our questionable right to interfere in the natural order of things. The first two books were largely concerned with humanity’s self-examination, so it’s only natural that this third (and penultimate) volume sees someone (and something) else put us on trial for our actions.

The idea of humanity being tested in some fashion isn’t a new one. Right off the top of my head, Star Trek‘s Q is probably the most famous example of the trope. Bova’s machines are thankfully less impish than that particular character, but the core concept is similar. The human crew are held hostage until such a point as the arbiters have determined humanity’s long-term value and/or threat level.

This brings us to a very interesting idea, as we discover that the death wave that so threatens organic life is not the first of its kind. The machines are immune to this, and therefore unconcerned. What troubles them more is the idea of organic life surviving. Once again, this is an old trope, the idea of humans coming into conflict with artificial intelligence. But it’s not a violent one. The machines can simply wait for the death wave to strike, after all. As per usual with Bova, what we get is a rather gentle affair. The best way to prove yourself is, after all, not with words but with deeds. And so we have a book filled with anthropologists doing their work while machines look on with occasional interest. It’s a pleasant and relaxing read in spite of the high stakes. The only real drama we see on the page is the feuding between various department heads as they vie for control of the project.

Yet again, Bova hits it out of the park with Survival. It’s the perfect blend of hard science fiction and grand space operatic ideas. A delicate balance between technological wonders and intimate human drama. Nearing the end of the Grand Tour, Bova shows no signs of faltering.

Book Stats

• Part of the Grand Tour Universe
• Star Quest (#3)
• Published by Tor in 2017
• 340 pages