The Aftermath
Ben Bova
Tor, Aug 2007, $24.95
ISBN 9780765304148

The Asteroid Wars (see THE PRECIPICE, THE ROCK RATS, and THE SILENT WAR) are for now over as a fragile cessation of hostility has occurred. In this tentative solar system peace, Victor Zacharius ekes out a living by carrying ore between planets on his vessel the Syracuse. His family travels with him.

However, misfortune hammers at the Zacharis brood when he inadvertently steers the Syracuse towards Chrysalis during a military assault led by former merciless commander Dorik Harbin now a ruthless cyborg Dorn; who is tied by the ancient artifact to sculptor great Elverda Apacheta. They search for the dead to bury them while the Viking with Martin Humphries, also under the artifact's power, seeks to destroy them. Meanwhile Cheena Madagascar rescues Victor, but at what cost as the various ships converge with the ancient artifact seemingly in control of everyone.

The fourth Asteroid War tale continues the saga although a tentative peace has ended the hostilities. The story line is fast-paced as the ships begin an encounter that will change much more than just those on board. Although the ending seems off kilter for this action-packed outer space thriller, fans will appreciate Ben Bova's Grand Tour of the solar system.

Harriet Klausner