Tag Archives: hard SF

Delta V

Posted on November 6, 2026 by smellincoffee

Daniel Suarez is a rare author whose every work has been a hit for me, unlike Scalzi & Doctorow who have had misfires. Delta-V continues in that tradition, beginning with a cave diver named James Tighe who is recruited for … Continue reading →

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The Calculating Stars

Posted on September 5, 2024 by smellincoffee

The night is young and you’re so beautiful, can’t we get into the swing of – what was THAT?! The Calculating Stars opens with a rocket scientist and a math genius/former WASP pilot having a romantic night in the mountains, … Continue reading →

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The Eighth Continent

Posted on February 12, 2024 by smellincoffee

Nick is a commercial diver who, as a side gig, volunteers with a rescue organization to save people during flood disasters. There are a lot of those these days: rising waters, frequent hurricanes, and people who continue to build houses … Continue reading →

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The Apollo Murders

Posted on July 15, 2022 by smellincoffee

The Apollo Murders(c) 2021 Chris Hadfield 480 pages It’s 1973, and the Apollo program is nearly at its end. One more mission is planned — but it won’t be the mission executed. Instead, the all-military crew of Apollo 18 will … Continue reading →

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Artemis

Posted on August 4, 2018 by smellincoffee

Artemis© 2017 Andy Weir320 pages “This is a results-oriented profession. The moon’s a mean old bitch. She doesn’t care why your suit fails. She just kills you when it does.” Jazz Bashara only wanted to engage in a little industrial … Continue reading →

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Mars

Posted on June 2, 2017 by smellincoffee

 Mars© 1992 Ben Bova560 pages Mankind has finally arrived on Mars, via a joint venture between the United States, Russia, Europe, and Japan. An expedition slated to last several months on the planet itself plans to explore part of the … Continue reading →

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Voyage

Posted on March 4, 2014 by smellincoffee

Voyage: A Novel of What Might have Been© 1996 Stephen Baxter511 pages             On November 22nd, 1963, John F. Kennedy narrowly escaped assassination while touring Dallas, Texas. A gunman’s assault left his wife Jacqueline dead and the president hospitalized, but … Continue reading →

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The Martian

Posted on February 18, 2014 by smellincoffee

The Martian© 2013 Andy Weir369 pages I was elated!  This was the best plan ever! Not only was I clearing out the hydrogen, I was making more water!  Everything went great right up to the explosion.  p. 43 Mark Watney never thought … Continue reading →

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