What do you think?
Rate this book
Plutoshine
Terraforming - the megascale-engineering of a planet's surface to one more Earth-like - is now commonplace across the Solar System, and Pluto's is set to be the most ambitious transformation yet. Four billion miles from the Sun and two hundred degrees below zero, what this worldlet needs is light and heat. Through captured asteroids and solar mirrors, humanity's finest scientists and engineers are set to deliver them.
What nobody factored in was a saboteur - but who, and why?
From the start, terraformer Lucian is intrigued by nine-year-old Nou, traumatised to muteness after a horrifying incident that shook the base and upended her family into chaos. If he could reach her, perhaps he could understand what happened that day - and what she knows about the secrets of Pluto.
For Nou possesses unspoken knowledge - something that could put a stop to the terraforming. But crippled by her fears, and unable to trust her family, there is no one she can talk to. Only through Lucian's gentle friendship does she start to rediscover her voice - and what she has to say will transform our sense of place in the Universe.
What nobody factored in was a saboteur - but who, and why?
From the start, terraformer Lucian is intrigued by nine-year-old Nou, traumatised to muteness after a horrifying incident that shook the base and upended her family into chaos. If he could reach her, perhaps he could understand what happened that day - and what she knows about the secrets of Pluto.
For Nou possesses unspoken knowledge - something that could put a stop to the terraforming. But crippled by her fears, and unable to trust her family, there is no one she can talk to. Only through Lucian's gentle friendship does she start to rediscover her voice - and what she has to say will transform our sense of place in the Universe.
410 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2022
About the author
Lucy Kissick
2 books42 followersLucy Kissick has a doctorate in planetary science from the University of Oxford, where she recreated ancient Martian lakes in the laboratory. She is now a scientist in nuclear research between the mountains and the sea of the English Lake District, and can usually be found in either.
Plutoshine is her debut novel and won the Bloomsbury Writers & Artists’ inaugural Working Class Writers’ Prize.
Plutoshine is her debut novel and won the Bloomsbury Writers & Artists’ inaugural Working Class Writers’ Prize.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 24, 2022
2.5 stars
Oh dear. I was so excited about this book. A colony on Pluto! Written by someone with a PhD in Planetary Science!
I'm not someone who gets too hung up on somewhat questionable science in my SF, but, having said that, I don't think it's totally unreasonable to expect the bar to be slightly raised when the author has a PhD in a relevant discipline. My friend Lindsay touches on some of the immediate head scratchers in his review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Handwaving the science I'm actually OK with, but I do need a story and characters I can get behind. This is really where I had some difficulty. Usually when I'm getting confused or a story seems muddled or suspect I tend to think it's me and not the book. (Why do I do that?!) Plutoshine incorporated time shifts in the storytelling that I found confusing and difficult to follow in some parts. Also, the idea that the kind of abuse that was happening within any family could go unnoticed in such a close-knit and isolated community didn't make much sense. These abusive relationships read how a person from a supportive family with no real experience or understanding of that kind of thing might imagine it would be, but it was just very unrealistic.
I liked the fact the main characters were super keen science people. But, that said, Lucian, in particular, was also a bit of a geeky Gary Stu. Genius scientist who loves kids (especially tragic ones), indie rock bands, cats, and cinnamon bagels. Is also apparently an ace pilot and works exceedingly well under imminent threat of death. He is genuinely nice, doesn't ever feel frustrated or lose his temper, and continues to maintain his childlike sense of wonder no matter what. Even the one questionable thing he did actually made zero sense. Any real scientist as wholly taken by the thrill of discovery as Lucian is described to be would never do that.
There was a flavour to this that reminded me of Becky Chambers. The difference is that Chambers writes flawed characters. Regular people reacting in the ways people react, which is a huge complicated mix. Plutoshine has all the sweetness and none of the grit. The "good" characters are painfully good and the "bad" characters are kind of two-dimensional. Kissick doesn't seem to be able to commit to the bad in humans the same way she so obviously celebrates the good.
All that said, I still wouldn't say don't read this. There are a lots of people who like a sweet story where (and this should not come as any surprise given what I've said above) it all turns out in the end. The book for me was not great, 2.5 stars, but Kissick herself seems so genuine and earnest that I would feel like are real heel if I didn't round it up. I do think she has potential, and I and hope she keeps writing and improves the next time around.
Oh dear. I was so excited about this book. A colony on Pluto! Written by someone with a PhD in Planetary Science!
I'm not someone who gets too hung up on somewhat questionable science in my SF, but, having said that, I don't think it's totally unreasonable to expect the bar to be slightly raised when the author has a PhD in a relevant discipline. My friend Lindsay touches on some of the immediate head scratchers in his review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Handwaving the science I'm actually OK with, but I do need a story and characters I can get behind. This is really where I had some difficulty. Usually when I'm getting confused or a story seems muddled or suspect I tend to think it's me and not the book. (Why do I do that?!) Plutoshine incorporated time shifts in the storytelling that I found confusing and difficult to follow in some parts. Also, the idea that the kind of abuse that was happening within any family could go unnoticed in such a close-knit and isolated community didn't make much sense. These abusive relationships read how a person from a supportive family with no real experience or understanding of that kind of thing might imagine it would be, but it was just very unrealistic.
I liked the fact the main characters were super keen science people. But, that said, Lucian, in particular, was also a bit of a geeky Gary Stu. Genius scientist who loves kids (especially tragic ones), indie rock bands, cats, and cinnamon bagels. Is also apparently an ace pilot and works exceedingly well under imminent threat of death. He is genuinely nice, doesn't ever feel frustrated or lose his temper, and continues to maintain his childlike sense of wonder no matter what. Even the one questionable thing he did actually made zero sense. Any real scientist as wholly taken by the thrill of discovery as Lucian is described to be would never do that.
There was a flavour to this that reminded me of Becky Chambers. The difference is that Chambers writes flawed characters. Regular people reacting in the ways people react, which is a huge complicated mix. Plutoshine has all the sweetness and none of the grit. The "good" characters are painfully good and the "bad" characters are kind of two-dimensional. Kissick doesn't seem to be able to commit to the bad in humans the same way she so obviously celebrates the good.
All that said, I still wouldn't say don't read this. There are a lots of people who like a sweet story where (and this should not come as any surprise given what I've said above) it all turns out in the end. The book for me was not great, 2.5 stars, but Kissick herself seems so genuine and earnest that I would feel like are real heel if I didn't round it up. I do think she has potential, and I and hope she keeps writing and improves the next time around.
March 21, 2022
A novel about human colonization and terraforming of Pluto was always going to be straining credulity.
Like, why Pluto? Why not Triton? Basically the same composition and size and it's a hell of a lot easier to get to because there's a huge gravity sink for deceleration right next door. Plus Triton as a moon of Neptune is on a nearly circular orbit, whereas Pluto's more extreme elliptical orbit is going to make stable terraforming insanely difficult. And that's only the thoughts I had immediately ... as the book goes on I've got much bigger questions, like on a planet where the atmosphere regularly snows into a solid, what is a human colony doing with its waste heat?
And that's all before we get to the prospect of life there and a terraforming process that is beyond ridiculous for a location that varies between 30 and 49 AU from the sun (did I mention elliptical orbit?).
But then you actually get to the book itself and the systematic emotional abuse and basic abandonment of a pre-teen traumatized girl by a colony of smart close-knit people who must have had training on living in close quarters with each other. At this point you come to understand that it's not just outer planetary physics and astronomy that this author doesn't really get ...
This gets more than one star simply because the location is extremely cool (hah! sorry) and I'm glad someone tried to make a novel about manned exploration of Pluto because the whole idea is fantastical and fascinating to speculate about.
Like, why Pluto? Why not Triton? Basically the same composition and size and it's a hell of a lot easier to get to because there's a huge gravity sink for deceleration right next door. Plus Triton as a moon of Neptune is on a nearly circular orbit, whereas Pluto's more extreme elliptical orbit is going to make stable terraforming insanely difficult. And that's only the thoughts I had immediately ... as the book goes on I've got much bigger questions, like on a planet where the atmosphere regularly snows into a solid, what is a human colony doing with its waste heat?
And that's all before we get to the prospect of life there and a terraforming process that is beyond ridiculous for a location that varies between 30 and 49 AU from the sun (did I mention elliptical orbit?).
But then you actually get to the book itself and the systematic emotional abuse and basic abandonment of a pre-teen traumatized girl by a colony of smart close-knit people who must have had training on living in close quarters with each other. At this point you come to understand that it's not just outer planetary physics and astronomy that this author doesn't really get ...
This gets more than one star simply because the location is extremely cool (hah! sorry) and I'm glad someone tried to make a novel about manned exploration of Pluto because the whole idea is fantastical and fascinating to speculate about.
March 12, 2022
Book arrived this week and I really couldn’t put it down! I don’t usually go for sci-if (more fantasy genre) but the combination of amazing characters, thrilling storyline and beautifully imagined and described settings, made this a perfect read for me.
I love reading books which take me to another world and Plutoshine did just that! The frozen landscape of Pluto was so beautifully described and the science of ‘terraforming’ so brilliantly explained that I found myself wanting to know more and more about the world this story takes place. Not many authors have this effect on me and it’s a credit to the author’s scientific academic background that she is able to so vividly describe what life on Pluto would be like and how humanity could survive and thrive in such an environment. The explanation of the scientific basis wasn’t patronising or over simplified, it was straight forward and uncomplicated for me.
My favourite thing about this book -somewhat unexpectedly - was the witty humour and genuinely likeable dialogue from the characters. The humour is brilliantly recognisable as experiences that any student, parent or under-appreciated child can sympathise with and relate to. I particularly like the mysteriously complicated character of Edmund Harbour and the development of this character I found really enjoyable.
This isn’t a slow book, the action and drama moves at a great pace and I was never once tempted to ‘skip this boring bit’ which I’m ashamed to admit has been the case with some books in the past… It flowed brilliantly from meaningful scene to thrilling sequence and nothing felt too forced or just in to entertain. Everything leads to the beautiful and thrilling ending which had me absolutely absorbed (to the point where I voluntarily let my tea go cold so as not to be distracted from the pages!).
I’m going to recommend this book to my friends who aren’t looking for a complicated ‘hard core’ sci fi novel but who, like me, love being transported to another place (planet!!) and are gripped by thrilling story lines and witty, likeable characters that make you care.
Mercury sequel anyone?
I love reading books which take me to another world and Plutoshine did just that! The frozen landscape of Pluto was so beautifully described and the science of ‘terraforming’ so brilliantly explained that I found myself wanting to know more and more about the world this story takes place. Not many authors have this effect on me and it’s a credit to the author’s scientific academic background that she is able to so vividly describe what life on Pluto would be like and how humanity could survive and thrive in such an environment. The explanation of the scientific basis wasn’t patronising or over simplified, it was straight forward and uncomplicated for me.
My favourite thing about this book -somewhat unexpectedly - was the witty humour and genuinely likeable dialogue from the characters. The humour is brilliantly recognisable as experiences that any student, parent or under-appreciated child can sympathise with and relate to. I particularly like the mysteriously complicated character of Edmund Harbour and the development of this character I found really enjoyable.
This isn’t a slow book, the action and drama moves at a great pace and I was never once tempted to ‘skip this boring bit’ which I’m ashamed to admit has been the case with some books in the past… It flowed brilliantly from meaningful scene to thrilling sequence and nothing felt too forced or just in to entertain. Everything leads to the beautiful and thrilling ending which had me absolutely absorbed (to the point where I voluntarily let my tea go cold so as not to be distracted from the pages!).
I’m going to recommend this book to my friends who aren’t looking for a complicated ‘hard core’ sci fi novel but who, like me, love being transported to another place (planet!!) and are gripped by thrilling story lines and witty, likeable characters that make you care.
Mercury sequel anyone?
April 8, 2022
One of the BEST sci-fi novels I have read in the last few years! The debut book from Lucy Kissick is a thrilling testament to the courage and fortitude of explorers, scientists and humanity itself.
Lucy Kissick manages to softly blend scientific theories and method with adventure, excitement and genuinely moving relationships between characters. From the first sentence I was hooked in and eager to follow the developing relationship between young Nou and father-like figure Lucian.
It is this relationship between Nou and Lucian, which makes this book so compelling and rich in content. Far from the usual vapid and unconvincing romantic entanglements, of which we are so often subjected to in novels, the relationship which forms between Nou and Lucian is authentic, heart-warming and powerful.
Lucy Kissick has a "Dickens"-like talent of making the reader care not just for the book's main characters, but develop even an affection and understanding of seemingly less important figures . From the likeable young PhD student Stan, to the tenacious and brilliant Halley, the depth and richness of the personalities is what draws the reader in and creates a genuine connection with the characters.
I cant wait to read more from this author!
Lucy Kissick
Lucy Kissick manages to softly blend scientific theories and method with adventure, excitement and genuinely moving relationships between characters. From the first sentence I was hooked in and eager to follow the developing relationship between young Nou and father-like figure Lucian.
It is this relationship between Nou and Lucian, which makes this book so compelling and rich in content. Far from the usual vapid and unconvincing romantic entanglements, of which we are so often subjected to in novels, the relationship which forms between Nou and Lucian is authentic, heart-warming and powerful.
Lucy Kissick has a "Dickens"-like talent of making the reader care not just for the book's main characters, but develop even an affection and understanding of seemingly less important figures . From the likeable young PhD student Stan, to the tenacious and brilliant Halley, the depth and richness of the personalities is what draws the reader in and creates a genuine connection with the characters.
I cant wait to read more from this author!
Lucy Kissick
March 17, 2022
Plutoshine is science fiction in its purest form. It’s an accomplished debut, complex and challenging in all the best ways, and a fantastic blend of invention, real-world science, and beautiful prose.
It all starts on Pluto. A terraformer called Lucian arrives with plans to build a sun in orbit of the planet by creating a giant space mirror. He befriends a mute girl call called Nou, who’s hiding a secret that could change everything — not just about the project, but life itself. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the prospect of a saboteur to contend with.
Two mysteries run through the book. The first is what happened to Nou to make her incapable of speaking for a whole year. The second is who could be trying to sabotage the project. Both of these mysteries are compelling, but the real heart of this story lies in the relationship between Lucian and Nou.
Lucian is the epitome of likeable — intelligent and caring, with a wicked sense of humour. Nou is wide-eyed and honest, but broken and in need of care. The friendship the two of them forge is the key to what makes Plutoshine work so well. It’s easy to invest in them, and as the strength of their friendship grows, so too does the strength of the book.
The story is ingeniously structured, delivered in a series of five phases to mirror the process of terraforming. In each phase, there are standout moments of action and introspection, and the pacing is flawless. Phase four, in particular, is a non-stop, nail-biting, perfectly choreographed sequence which I couldn’t take my eyes away from.
But Plutoshine is much more than just an interesting mystery set in space. The themes it explores are deeply personal and tender, stretching into the core of what it means to be a parent, what even constitutes life, and how that life should be treated. Refreshingly, the stakes seem very human, and there’s much to ponder on a personal level, as well as just the mind-boggling implications of other life in the universe. It’s a hefty, heady cocktail of subtle and substantial probings that spark all sorts of revelations, shedding light on the issues it raises. Lucian spends his time literally building a sun to shine on a world that has none, and I can’t think of a more perfect allegory for what the story manages to accomplish than that.
In terms of style and tone, there’s a poetic and lyrical quality to the writing. It’s packed with technical flourishes, the kind of details that could only come from the mind of a scientist, but the chapters have also got a real literary quality about them, and the descriptions of Pluto are just as breathtaking to read as they are to imagine.
Like all good mysteries, the book is packed with red-herrings and unexpected turns, and it kept me guessing until the end. The conclusion tied everything up nicely, leaving me satisfied.
Terraforming is the act of refashioning something, repurposing it, and rejuvenating it. In a way, this book does exactly that. It takes all the familiar and traditional aspects of a hard sci-fi space story, and remoulds it into something fresh. Something new. It’s illuminating, mixing bold ideas with warmth, humanity, and above all, heart.
It all starts on Pluto. A terraformer called Lucian arrives with plans to build a sun in orbit of the planet by creating a giant space mirror. He befriends a mute girl call called Nou, who’s hiding a secret that could change everything — not just about the project, but life itself. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the prospect of a saboteur to contend with.
Two mysteries run through the book. The first is what happened to Nou to make her incapable of speaking for a whole year. The second is who could be trying to sabotage the project. Both of these mysteries are compelling, but the real heart of this story lies in the relationship between Lucian and Nou.
Lucian is the epitome of likeable — intelligent and caring, with a wicked sense of humour. Nou is wide-eyed and honest, but broken and in need of care. The friendship the two of them forge is the key to what makes Plutoshine work so well. It’s easy to invest in them, and as the strength of their friendship grows, so too does the strength of the book.
The story is ingeniously structured, delivered in a series of five phases to mirror the process of terraforming. In each phase, there are standout moments of action and introspection, and the pacing is flawless. Phase four, in particular, is a non-stop, nail-biting, perfectly choreographed sequence which I couldn’t take my eyes away from.
But Plutoshine is much more than just an interesting mystery set in space. The themes it explores are deeply personal and tender, stretching into the core of what it means to be a parent, what even constitutes life, and how that life should be treated. Refreshingly, the stakes seem very human, and there’s much to ponder on a personal level, as well as just the mind-boggling implications of other life in the universe. It’s a hefty, heady cocktail of subtle and substantial probings that spark all sorts of revelations, shedding light on the issues it raises. Lucian spends his time literally building a sun to shine on a world that has none, and I can’t think of a more perfect allegory for what the story manages to accomplish than that.
In terms of style and tone, there’s a poetic and lyrical quality to the writing. It’s packed with technical flourishes, the kind of details that could only come from the mind of a scientist, but the chapters have also got a real literary quality about them, and the descriptions of Pluto are just as breathtaking to read as they are to imagine.
Like all good mysteries, the book is packed with red-herrings and unexpected turns, and it kept me guessing until the end. The conclusion tied everything up nicely, leaving me satisfied.
Terraforming is the act of refashioning something, repurposing it, and rejuvenating it. In a way, this book does exactly that. It takes all the familiar and traditional aspects of a hard sci-fi space story, and remoulds it into something fresh. Something new. It’s illuminating, mixing bold ideas with warmth, humanity, and above all, heart.
June 3, 2022
Plutoshine puts the "science" in "science fiction."
September 5, 2023
>>Die Menschheit hat sich über das gesamte Sonnensystem ausgebreitet. Terraforming – die Veränderung ganzer Planeten, um sie erdähnlicher zu machen – wird von allen Kolonien betrieben. Projekt Plutoshine ist das bisher ambitionierteste Terraforming-Vorhaben: sechs Milliarden Kilometer von der Sonne entfernt, mit einer durchschnittlichen Oberflächentemperatur von -242° C, braucht Pluto vor allem Licht und Wärme. Beides soll durch gewaltige Spiegel im Orbit auf die Eiswelt gebracht werden...<<
...Die Ausgangslage von "Projekt Pluto" von Lucy Kissick, aus dem Englischen übersetzt von Peter Robert, hat mich unheimlich angesprochen und so war gleich sehr fasziniert von der Beschreibung der kleinen Gemeinschaft, die den Pluto ihr Zuhause nennt. Im Bereich des Terraforming begleiten wir so ziemlich von Beginn an Lucien, der zum einen eine interessante Person aber auch ein Charakter ist, dem man als Leser sehr nah kommt! Gemeinsam mit der kleinen Nou und Lucien begleiten wir hier unheimlich detailreich beschriebene kleine Expeditionen, und tasten uns innerhalb der Vorbereitungen für das Terraforming mehr und mehr vor. Die beiden entwickeln eine ganz besondere Freundschaft und geraten durch Nou's essenzielle Entdeckung mehr und mehr in Gefahr ...
SciFi ist ja für mich persönlich ein Genre, das ich nicht so oft zur Hand nehme, hier muss ich sagen hat es mir einfach rundum sehr gefallen! Es gab tolle Charaktere, ein Setting bzw. eine Zukunftsvision die ich greifbar empfand und die sehr interessante Einblicke geboten hat! Zudem entwickelt sich die Geschichte auch sehr spannend!
✒Mein Fazit: Ein Blick weit hinaus über meinen Tellerrand, der sich mehr als gelohnt und mir das Genre SciFi definitiv wieder ein Stück näher gebracht hat! 🤗📖
...Die Ausgangslage von "Projekt Pluto" von Lucy Kissick, aus dem Englischen übersetzt von Peter Robert, hat mich unheimlich angesprochen und so war gleich sehr fasziniert von der Beschreibung der kleinen Gemeinschaft, die den Pluto ihr Zuhause nennt. Im Bereich des Terraforming begleiten wir so ziemlich von Beginn an Lucien, der zum einen eine interessante Person aber auch ein Charakter ist, dem man als Leser sehr nah kommt! Gemeinsam mit der kleinen Nou und Lucien begleiten wir hier unheimlich detailreich beschriebene kleine Expeditionen, und tasten uns innerhalb der Vorbereitungen für das Terraforming mehr und mehr vor. Die beiden entwickeln eine ganz besondere Freundschaft und geraten durch Nou's essenzielle Entdeckung mehr und mehr in Gefahr ...
SciFi ist ja für mich persönlich ein Genre, das ich nicht so oft zur Hand nehme, hier muss ich sagen hat es mir einfach rundum sehr gefallen! Es gab tolle Charaktere, ein Setting bzw. eine Zukunftsvision die ich greifbar empfand und die sehr interessante Einblicke geboten hat! Zudem entwickelt sich die Geschichte auch sehr spannend!
✒Mein Fazit: Ein Blick weit hinaus über meinen Tellerrand, der sich mehr als gelohnt und mir das Genre SciFi definitiv wieder ein Stück näher gebracht hat! 🤗📖
April 14, 2022
Hooray! A proper Sci-fi story! No surprise to find out just before reviewing this, that it was written by a scientist. What was a surprise, was to find out that it is this author's first book. What a start! Wow.
The story is brilliant - I have been reading Sci-fi for more years than the author has been alive, yet I can very happily report that this does not remind me of any other books! That is a huge thing. Quite wonderful.
The world/background is easily understandable, so there are no long explanatory passages, which is great. The characterisation is very well done - there are characters that I loved (who would not love Nou?) and those that I loathed, yet it was carefully done, showing that initial impressions are not always right. I do find it hard to read a book in which I don't care about the characters (surprisingly common) - but that didn't happen in this book.
I found the book very hard to put down, and was sad when it was finished. It was a complete story, so no cliffhangers or incomplete parts, and astonishingly I find myself a little sad about that, as I would love to return to this world. Perhaps a little way into the future?
For a first book, quite brilliant. For a sci-fi book, full marks. Shame I can only give five stars.
The story is brilliant - I have been reading Sci-fi for more years than the author has been alive, yet I can very happily report that this does not remind me of any other books! That is a huge thing. Quite wonderful.
The world/background is easily understandable, so there are no long explanatory passages, which is great. The characterisation is very well done - there are characters that I loved (who would not love Nou?) and those that I loathed, yet it was carefully done, showing that initial impressions are not always right. I do find it hard to read a book in which I don't care about the characters (surprisingly common) - but that didn't happen in this book.
I found the book very hard to put down, and was sad when it was finished. It was a complete story, so no cliffhangers or incomplete parts, and astonishingly I find myself a little sad about that, as I would love to return to this world. Perhaps a little way into the future?
For a first book, quite brilliant. For a sci-fi book, full marks. Shame I can only give five stars.
March 9, 2022
https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2022...
Full review on blog in link above ^
This was pretty much sci-fi perfection. The actual science melding with this amazing plot that has terraforming via 'sun bringers' to Pluto and the mystery of a saboteur.
Seriously, this re-cemented my adoration of sci-fi. There was brilliance in the way this was set up, you were actively engaged in the engineering, terraforming, xenobiology aspects of it while still having mystery at the forefront. The characters are brilliant and the lack of romance was a specific plus for me. I loved Nou and Lucian was fun while Edmund might have been my favorite just for his complexity. Again, stellar cast of characters. The amazing writing and on point pacing make this a super quick read without even realizing it.
I'll be shouting about this book for the rest of the year.
5/5 Cups of coffee from me. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Full review on blog in link above ^
This was pretty much sci-fi perfection. The actual science melding with this amazing plot that has terraforming via 'sun bringers' to Pluto and the mystery of a saboteur.
Seriously, this re-cemented my adoration of sci-fi. There was brilliance in the way this was set up, you were actively engaged in the engineering, terraforming, xenobiology aspects of it while still having mystery at the forefront. The characters are brilliant and the lack of romance was a specific plus for me. I loved Nou and Lucian was fun while Edmund might have been my favorite just for his complexity. Again, stellar cast of characters. The amazing writing and on point pacing make this a super quick read without even realizing it.
I'll be shouting about this book for the rest of the year.
5/5 Cups of coffee from me. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 29, 2023
Der Roman um das Terraforming-Projekt am Pluto !!!, erscheint widersinning und leicht verrückt, im Erstlingsroman der Planetenforscherin Kissik klingt das folgerichtig. Allerdings geht es in diesem Buch nicht in erster Linie um die Technologie, sondern im Mittelpunkt steht die Familie Harbour, wir erleben die Entwicklung und die Geschichte des Mädchens Nou, geboren auf Pluto, herangewachsen in der Obhut des Vaters und des 20 Jahre älteren Bruders Edmund. Wir lernen Nou kennen, traumatisiert von zunächst rätselhaften Erlebnissen - sie hat ihre Sprache verloren, ist nicht fähig, sich auch nur irgendwie zu artikulieren. Der Vater - Übervater - bewundert in aller Welt. Zu einer liebevollen Beziehung zu seinen Kindern nicht fähig, kalt, berechnend. Edmund, der Bruder, der seine Schwester liebt, wie es eigentlich der Vater tun sollte, ist selbst gebunden an das große Vorbild, kann den Erwartungen kaum gerecht werden und zerbricht....
Irgendwie fand ich den Roman widersprüchlich, soll er ein Beziehungsdrama, ein Familiendrama oder ein technischer SF-Roman sein; das konnte ich bis zuletzt nicht eroieren, vieleicht es er alles zusammen, aber nichts richtig. Immerhin war er nie langweilig...
Irgendwie fand ich den Roman widersprüchlich, soll er ein Beziehungsdrama, ein Familiendrama oder ein technischer SF-Roman sein; das konnte ich bis zuletzt nicht eroieren, vieleicht es er alles zusammen, aber nichts richtig. Immerhin war er nie langweilig...
January 2, 2023
8+ This book can most easily be described as Becky Chambers meets Stephen Baxter.
The author has a doctorate in planetary science from the University of Oxford and her enthousiasm about the New Horizons mission and its discoveries about Pluto is almost palpable. The science here, at least where it pertains to the dwarf planet and its moons, is convincing. Maybe purely scientifically one would wonder why one would want to terraform Pluto as it is far away from the sun and has quite an elliptical orbit - but on the other hand: Pluto has always caught humanity's imagination - so, why not? It's what's needed to put the plot in motion.
But alongside the scientific rigour (the Baxter side of the equation), this story has human characters, motivated by their curiosity and sense of community, genuinely wanting to take care of each other and help a traumatized girl speak again. The warmth of this group of colonists and terraformers put me in mind of the devotion to community of the characters of Chambers. It's fun to read a book where people can be genuinely good. There are some traitors here too, and people willing to stoop to abusive behaviour to get what they want - but they never overshadow the story. Kissick stays very close to her characters. This makes action scenes a bit chaotic, as she never leaves the perspectives of people in the midst of the action - and we as the readers also just get glimpses. But this gives the action packed scenes later in the book, some of planet wide important, a sense of immediacy they would otherwise lack, so I liked that aspect. And it guarantees that in all the action, the plight of the characters stays front of mind for the reader.
At the center of the story is little girl Nou, who is mute since an accident a year ago. She becomes friends with youg terraformer Lucian who teaches her to talk using sign language. Their interactions were genuinely loveable. At the heart of her condition, however, is a very intrigueing mystery or mysteries - both of a personal nature and of a larger, cosmological nature. I was satisfied by the resolution of both. This felt like the idea-driven SF I liked to read as a kid. It's not as mind blowing as Baxters of Reynolds books, but it leads to a genuine sense of wonder. Ultimately, however, this does not reach the heights of real classics in the genre. It will not have real staying power, because ultimately it does not have a whole lot to say. Not that every book needs to have a deep insight or message. This is a book about Pluto and why that former planet is so fascinating - that is message enough. I am glad I read this, but I don't think it will soon be overshadowed by books that have more to say.
I recommend this for people with an interest in our planetary system and for those who like old school idea driven SF about new discoveries and old fashioned sense of wonder.
The author has a doctorate in planetary science from the University of Oxford and her enthousiasm about the New Horizons mission and its discoveries about Pluto is almost palpable. The science here, at least where it pertains to the dwarf planet and its moons, is convincing. Maybe purely scientifically one would wonder why one would want to terraform Pluto as it is far away from the sun and has quite an elliptical orbit - but on the other hand: Pluto has always caught humanity's imagination - so, why not? It's what's needed to put the plot in motion.
But alongside the scientific rigour (the Baxter side of the equation), this story has human characters, motivated by their curiosity and sense of community, genuinely wanting to take care of each other and help a traumatized girl speak again. The warmth of this group of colonists and terraformers put me in mind of the devotion to community of the characters of Chambers. It's fun to read a book where people can be genuinely good. There are some traitors here too, and people willing to stoop to abusive behaviour to get what they want - but they never overshadow the story. Kissick stays very close to her characters. This makes action scenes a bit chaotic, as she never leaves the perspectives of people in the midst of the action - and we as the readers also just get glimpses. But this gives the action packed scenes later in the book, some of planet wide important, a sense of immediacy they would otherwise lack, so I liked that aspect. And it guarantees that in all the action, the plight of the characters stays front of mind for the reader.
At the center of the story is little girl Nou, who is mute since an accident a year ago. She becomes friends with youg terraformer Lucian who teaches her to talk using sign language. Their interactions were genuinely loveable. At the heart of her condition, however, is a very intrigueing mystery or mysteries - both of a personal nature and of a larger, cosmological nature. I was satisfied by the resolution of both. This felt like the idea-driven SF I liked to read as a kid. It's not as mind blowing as Baxters of Reynolds books, but it leads to a genuine sense of wonder. Ultimately, however, this does not reach the heights of real classics in the genre. It will not have real staying power, because ultimately it does not have a whole lot to say. Not that every book needs to have a deep insight or message. This is a book about Pluto and why that former planet is so fascinating - that is message enough. I am glad I read this, but I don't think it will soon be overshadowed by books that have more to say.
I recommend this for people with an interest in our planetary system and for those who like old school idea driven SF about new discoveries and old fashioned sense of wonder.
April 3, 2023
2.5 out of 5 really. I'm ambivalent about this one. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Plutonian landscapes and the terraforming tech (could have done with more exploration that), but the story itself didn't hang together for me. There were too many different threads, too many urgent issues passed over or ignored until of course the sh*t hit the fan, and too much sidelining of supposedly primary goals in favour of, for example, getting a mute kid to talk, or putting on a party. It was interesting but not great. I will keep an eye out for future work by her, but it's not an instant "buy on sight".
February 7, 2022
"Plutoshine" is one of those rare books that had me from the very first page - and it's a debut novel! Lucy Kissick writes solidly, has created characters that are incredibly real ("Nou" wins the "character I'd most like to adopt" award!), gives us a story that is hopeful and heartbreaking at the same time, and leaves me with one question: When is your next book coming?!
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
March 16, 2022
A hugely impressive piece of SF that takes the old and often dry terraforming a world plot and merges it with humans who actually have emotions, lives and even a little cake and biscuits. It’s so good to have a SF story that gives me a sense of awe and wonder - refreshing and recommended
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
June 15, 2022
So enjoyed this great adventure. Fantastic characters and slick plotting.
April 2, 2022
I need to say...I really love Lucien. He's such a sweet person in this book, and I just really loved how hard he tries with everyone. His bond with Nou was sweet, and I really love how she got a voice with him instead of just being ignored.
Nou herself was a sweet character, even if I kept being thrown by how she was '0.004 years old'! I can't even imagine what it must have been like to grow on Pluto, but I guess Nou couldn't imagine what it's like to grow up on Earth either.
The story of Plutoshine includes bringing the sun to the distant dwarf planet, and beginning the process of terraforming. I'm not a scientist, nor am I scientifically minded, so I have no idea if the science of Plutoshine is accurate enough. There was a lot of science babble in the book, which added to the realism but I can't confirm whether it's accurate or not! It made everything feel more realistic for me, though, so I certainly enjoyed it!
I also really loved the description of Pluto itself. The little hints to real events, such as New Horizons, was great and I enjoyed how much love and attention Pluto was getting. Reading the description of Pluto's Heart made me wonder if the author was inspired to write this book after seeing the high definition images of Pluto a few years ago, or something. The whole plan of how to being the sun to far flung planets and moons was interesting, though I do wonder why we'd bother with Pluto of all places!
Overall, a very easy and interesting read with some characters you really come to know and love!
Nou herself was a sweet character, even if I kept being thrown by how she was '0.004 years old'! I can't even imagine what it must have been like to grow on Pluto, but I guess Nou couldn't imagine what it's like to grow up on Earth either.
The story of Plutoshine includes bringing the sun to the distant dwarf planet, and beginning the process of terraforming. I'm not a scientist, nor am I scientifically minded, so I have no idea if the science of Plutoshine is accurate enough. There was a lot of science babble in the book, which added to the realism but I can't confirm whether it's accurate or not! It made everything feel more realistic for me, though, so I certainly enjoyed it!
I also really loved the description of Pluto itself. The little hints to real events, such as New Horizons, was great and I enjoyed how much love and attention Pluto was getting. Reading the description of Pluto's Heart made me wonder if the author was inspired to write this book after seeing the high definition images of Pluto a few years ago, or something. The whole plan of how to being the sun to far flung planets and moons was interesting, though I do wonder why we'd bother with Pluto of all places!
Overall, a very easy and interesting read with some characters you really come to know and love!
January 11, 2024
What if you want to make the solar system more habitable to humans only to find that some of the best spots are already teeming with microbial life? Enter Pluto. It really doesn’t get much further than that and with so little sunlight (and thus energy) making it all the way out to (former planet) Pluto, chances of finding life are slim.
With a permanent base established, Pluto (and the base’s small population) are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a group of terraformers (with Lucian, the story’s main character as the principal engineer) that will support building a giant space mirror to concentrate scattered sunlight to heat the dwarf planet and is planning to redirect asteroids towards Pluto to help kick-start an atmosphere.
When Lucian and the team land at Pluto, they find a base that is eagerly awaiting to have some sunlight delivered to their new home (well knowing that terraforming a proper atmosphere might well take centuries). But there is more to the base: Two xenobiologists are searching for life on Pluto, the base’s founder is in a coma after an air-hose on his spacesuit burst over a year ago with the base now being run by his sun, and there is nine-year-old Nou, the founder’s daughter who stopped speaking the day of the accident. Above all, it appears as not everybody on Pluto is as interested in terraforming the landscape: As their terraforming project gets underway, it becomes clear to the engineers that they are the target of a sophisticated sabotage operation aiming to derail the terraforming process and Lucian decides to take Nou under his wings both to help her recover and because she might have information that might be vital to saving his project and the future of the Pluto base. Can he establish communications with Nou? Can he try to find out who is sabotaging his project and why? And what other secrets are hidden under the ice of Pluto?
Plutoshine is an easy and enjoyable read: We have a fast-paced story about Lucian’s attempt to save his mission to bring light to Pluto, we have just the right amount of hard science (the author is a nuclear scientist and holds a PhD in planetary chemistry), and Lucy Kissick is giving a lot of room to the endearing story of Lucian trying to bring Nou out of her isolation. This mix of hard science fiction with proper character building (largely) void of typical clichés makes for a very engaging book. You feel for Lucian, who wants to deploy mirrors and asteroids to warm the planed but ends up spending a lot of time building a deep relationship with Nou not purely as a means to an end but out of a genuine desire to help a child regain her voice, you suffer with Nou as she is unable to communicate what she urgently needs to say, and you are drawn into a far wider reaching story about the human colonization of the solar system.
There are a lot of gripping hard sci-fi stories out there, but they often lack any meaningful character development. Not here: Lucy Kissick takes a lot of time with her two main characters (not so much with the rest of the cast) and it pays off.
Highly recommended.
For more sci-fi reviews, check out my Futureboy Substack.
With a permanent base established, Pluto (and the base’s small population) are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a group of terraformers (with Lucian, the story’s main character as the principal engineer) that will support building a giant space mirror to concentrate scattered sunlight to heat the dwarf planet and is planning to redirect asteroids towards Pluto to help kick-start an atmosphere.
When Lucian and the team land at Pluto, they find a base that is eagerly awaiting to have some sunlight delivered to their new home (well knowing that terraforming a proper atmosphere might well take centuries). But there is more to the base: Two xenobiologists are searching for life on Pluto, the base’s founder is in a coma after an air-hose on his spacesuit burst over a year ago with the base now being run by his sun, and there is nine-year-old Nou, the founder’s daughter who stopped speaking the day of the accident. Above all, it appears as not everybody on Pluto is as interested in terraforming the landscape: As their terraforming project gets underway, it becomes clear to the engineers that they are the target of a sophisticated sabotage operation aiming to derail the terraforming process and Lucian decides to take Nou under his wings both to help her recover and because she might have information that might be vital to saving his project and the future of the Pluto base. Can he establish communications with Nou? Can he try to find out who is sabotaging his project and why? And what other secrets are hidden under the ice of Pluto?
Plutoshine is an easy and enjoyable read: We have a fast-paced story about Lucian’s attempt to save his mission to bring light to Pluto, we have just the right amount of hard science (the author is a nuclear scientist and holds a PhD in planetary chemistry), and Lucy Kissick is giving a lot of room to the endearing story of Lucian trying to bring Nou out of her isolation. This mix of hard science fiction with proper character building (largely) void of typical clichés makes for a very engaging book. You feel for Lucian, who wants to deploy mirrors and asteroids to warm the planed but ends up spending a lot of time building a deep relationship with Nou not purely as a means to an end but out of a genuine desire to help a child regain her voice, you suffer with Nou as she is unable to communicate what she urgently needs to say, and you are drawn into a far wider reaching story about the human colonization of the solar system.
There are a lot of gripping hard sci-fi stories out there, but they often lack any meaningful character development. Not here: Lucy Kissick takes a lot of time with her two main characters (not so much with the rest of the cast) and it pays off.
Highly recommended.
For more sci-fi reviews, check out my Futureboy Substack.
March 22, 2022
It’s been ages since last I read a hard sci-fi novel, a novel where there’s plenty of scientific facts and we are shown what will be in a century of time.
But Plutoshine is more complex than that because it’s also the story of people, of their relationship. It’s the story of the relationship between a scientist, Lucian, and a child, Nou.
And this is not enough because there’s also plenty of mysteries: what happened to Nou and her father, who is trying to sabotage the activities of the group of scientists?
The author did an excellent job in balancing the different aspects of the story and never going in “all hard scientific facts” or “very poignant and emotional charged story”.
All these elements are present but they’re part of a gripping and fascinating plot.
There’s plenty of fascinating features in this book: Pluto, the remote non planet, an alien world dominated by ice; the terraforming and the construction of the mirror; the relationship amongst the characters and the mysteries.
I think that Lucy Kissick can surely write, and I loved how she developed the world building and the characters.
The storytelling is fascinating and kept me turning pages.
I was fascinated by the scientific part: the author knows what they’re talking about and you feel they’re excellent science communicators.
It was a fascinating reading experience, a classic sci-fi upgraded for the contemporary readers.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Gollancz, Will O’Mullane, and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
But Plutoshine is more complex than that because it’s also the story of people, of their relationship. It’s the story of the relationship between a scientist, Lucian, and a child, Nou.
And this is not enough because there’s also plenty of mysteries: what happened to Nou and her father, who is trying to sabotage the activities of the group of scientists?
The author did an excellent job in balancing the different aspects of the story and never going in “all hard scientific facts” or “very poignant and emotional charged story”.
All these elements are present but they’re part of a gripping and fascinating plot.
There’s plenty of fascinating features in this book: Pluto, the remote non planet, an alien world dominated by ice; the terraforming and the construction of the mirror; the relationship amongst the characters and the mysteries.
I think that Lucy Kissick can surely write, and I loved how she developed the world building and the characters.
The storytelling is fascinating and kept me turning pages.
I was fascinated by the scientific part: the author knows what they’re talking about and you feel they’re excellent science communicators.
It was a fascinating reading experience, a classic sci-fi upgraded for the contemporary readers.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Gollancz, Will O’Mullane, and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 4, 2022
Exciting and heartwarming read! I was recommended this by a friend after saying how much I enjoyed reading the Martian. There are definitely some similarities between the two books particularly the accurate scientific detail -- you can tell the author knows what shes talking about!! -- but I found the storyline of Plutoshine to be even better and it definitely left room for a sequel.
I'd love to know more about Mars and Mercury and how the settlement first came to Pluto - maybe even a glimpse baxck into those early days when they first set up.
All in all, really really enjoyed this book and am excited what might come next from Kissick!
I'd love to know more about Mars and Mercury and how the settlement first came to Pluto - maybe even a glimpse baxck into those early days when they first set up.
All in all, really really enjoyed this book and am excited what might come next from Kissick!
April 18, 2022
An excellent first novel from Lucy Kissick. I don’t usually read sci-fi but was aware of Lucy through her PhD Diaries so thought I would read the book.
Lucy is a gifted storyteller and the book had me hooked from the first page to the last. I believe a second novel is in the pipeline, I cannot wait. I really hope it’s a sequel as I want to know more about the main characters.
Lucy is a gifted storyteller and the book had me hooked from the first page to the last. I believe a second novel is in the pipeline, I cannot wait. I really hope it’s a sequel as I want to know more about the main characters.
September 21, 2023
I can only assume that the people who gave this 4 or 5 stars are friends and family. The majority of this book revolves around the relationship between a man and a 10;year old. The plot is pretty thin and the ‘sci fi’ aspect pretty peripheral. I’m sure this will make a great Sunday evening mini series on tv but not for me it seems aimed at a young adult audience. All a bit Twilight really.
December 2, 2022
Absolutely loved the book! It was the right mix of well thought out characters and exciting plot to make me not want to put it down.
The descriptions of Pluto were amazing! And you can definitely tell that the author has a PhD in planetary science and knows what the hell they’re taking about!
The descriptions of Pluto were amazing! And you can definitely tell that the author has a PhD in planetary science and knows what the hell they’re taking about!
January 30, 2023
A heartwarming mix of topics. A took me a moment to identify the underlying tone. It is a tone of care and empathy and coexistence embedded in a sci-fi setting. I enjoyed the characters. Too bad this isn’t a series.
March 30, 2022
I didn't enjoy this at all. I was expecting more alien life and maybe more interaction with said alien life but it was lacking in alien 👽 life. There was a cat so that was a good thing.
February 12, 2024
Another one high up on the Arthur C Clarke list.
Excellent world building, if a little far fetched.
Intriguing alien contacts.
Excellent world building, if a little far fetched.
Intriguing alien contacts.
February 6, 2023
3.5 (could toss a coin whether to round this up or down tbh)
Given that it’s written by a genuine nuclear scientist, what’s most impressive about Plutoshine is that it’s so rich with human feeling. Not that I expect scientists to be robots or anything, but it’s easy to imagine the in-depth scientific knowledge of the author might take the focus: not so here.
Lucian is a terraformer, whose next big project is to bring the Sun to Pluto. A giant mirror constructed in orbit will focus the sun’s rays – so weak at such a distance – and transform the frozen dwarf-planet into something more habitable for future generations. The problem is, after a string of high-profile failures, the mere notion of terraforming is controversial, and there are those that would see Pluto remain in the dark.
Nou Harbour, meanwhile, is a young girl who's been living on Pluto’s modest base for her whole life. As a result of a traumatic experience, Nou has lost the ability to talk, or even communicate, and spends her days cowering in the shadow of her cold and domineering older brother. With the terraformers' arrival, she becomes fascinated with the Plutoshine project, and senses in Lucian an outsider that she might be able to confide in. And although she cannot speak, if she can find a way to reveal them, the secrets that Nou Harbour holds could change everything.
The sci-fi story here is interesting, but it’s in the writing of the likeable and naturally caring Lucian and – especially - young Nou Harbour that Plutoshine, well, shines. The trope of a young child unable to speak is familiar, particularly in film/TV, but I’ve never known it to be explored with as much depth or compassion as here. Kissick takes us inside Nou’s head to experience the frustration and fear she feels, and it’s very affecting, especially as she senses the chance for redemption, if only she can find the courage and self-worth to seize it.
The galactically large events going on around her only serve to emphasise what a small piece of the wider tapestry she is; Nou is just one powerless little girl surrounded by people whom, to her, seem almost like gods, such is their ability to take a planet by the hands and bend it to their will. And after all, why should anybody care that one little girl’s universe was shattered, when there’s an actual universe to re-mould?
Sure, there are conspiracies, and mysteries, and saboteurs, and explosions, but it’s the rich emotional journey of one little girl that I’ll remember from this one. The real ballgame in Plutoshine is one little girl’s happiness hanging in the balance, and here, that’s bigger stakes than any planet-altering mission could ever achieve.
Given that it’s written by a genuine nuclear scientist, what’s most impressive about Plutoshine is that it’s so rich with human feeling. Not that I expect scientists to be robots or anything, but it’s easy to imagine the in-depth scientific knowledge of the author might take the focus: not so here.
Lucian is a terraformer, whose next big project is to bring the Sun to Pluto. A giant mirror constructed in orbit will focus the sun’s rays – so weak at such a distance – and transform the frozen dwarf-planet into something more habitable for future generations. The problem is, after a string of high-profile failures, the mere notion of terraforming is controversial, and there are those that would see Pluto remain in the dark.
Nou Harbour, meanwhile, is a young girl who's been living on Pluto’s modest base for her whole life. As a result of a traumatic experience, Nou has lost the ability to talk, or even communicate, and spends her days cowering in the shadow of her cold and domineering older brother. With the terraformers' arrival, she becomes fascinated with the Plutoshine project, and senses in Lucian an outsider that she might be able to confide in. And although she cannot speak, if she can find a way to reveal them, the secrets that Nou Harbour holds could change everything.
The sci-fi story here is interesting, but it’s in the writing of the likeable and naturally caring Lucian and – especially - young Nou Harbour that Plutoshine, well, shines. The trope of a young child unable to speak is familiar, particularly in film/TV, but I’ve never known it to be explored with as much depth or compassion as here. Kissick takes us inside Nou’s head to experience the frustration and fear she feels, and it’s very affecting, especially as she senses the chance for redemption, if only she can find the courage and self-worth to seize it.
The galactically large events going on around her only serve to emphasise what a small piece of the wider tapestry she is; Nou is just one powerless little girl surrounded by people whom, to her, seem almost like gods, such is their ability to take a planet by the hands and bend it to their will. And after all, why should anybody care that one little girl’s universe was shattered, when there’s an actual universe to re-mould?
Sure, there are conspiracies, and mysteries, and saboteurs, and explosions, but it’s the rich emotional journey of one little girl that I’ll remember from this one. The real ballgame in Plutoshine is one little girl’s happiness hanging in the balance, and here, that’s bigger stakes than any planet-altering mission could ever achieve.
September 25, 2024
‘Plutoshine’ by Lucy Kissick is one of those books that I would have completely missed had it not come to my attention thanks to booktube
I love Nou, I love her Whistlers, and I love Lucian and Captain Whiskers. The problem is that most of the other characters aren’t sufficiently fleshed out - partly because of the narrow focus of the storytelling - but it is a shame because the story might have been better for it.
The story is ostensibly one of terraforming, but it largely focuses on the aftermath of a traumatising event involving the leader of the colony, the true details and consequences of which are only gradually revealed.
There are two main threads that are explored in the story: what happened to Nou to cause her to become electively mute, and who is involved in trying to sabotage the terraforming project. This is set against a backdrop of a solar system where forms of life have been discovered, and terraforming is widespread even in the face of radical opposition.
Nou definitely makes the story worthwhile, and I enjoyed a lot of things while reading, but I wasn’t particularly captivated by the slowness of the reveals or the sabotage side-plot and how it fit into the overall narrative. For me the focus was off and, ultimately, I wanted more xenobiology and first contact content than was offered.
I actually think that this story might work better as a television series, because it lends itself to that format rather well (in my opinion).
I love Nou, I love her Whistlers, and I love Lucian and Captain Whiskers. The problem is that most of the other characters aren’t sufficiently fleshed out - partly because of the narrow focus of the storytelling - but it is a shame because the story might have been better for it.
The story is ostensibly one of terraforming, but it largely focuses on the aftermath of a traumatising event involving the leader of the colony, the true details and consequences of which are only gradually revealed.
There are two main threads that are explored in the story: what happened to Nou to cause her to become electively mute, and who is involved in trying to sabotage the terraforming project. This is set against a backdrop of a solar system where forms of life have been discovered, and terraforming is widespread even in the face of radical opposition.
Nou definitely makes the story worthwhile, and I enjoyed a lot of things while reading, but I wasn’t particularly captivated by the slowness of the reveals or the sabotage side-plot and how it fit into the overall narrative. For me the focus was off and, ultimately, I wanted more xenobiology and first contact content than was offered.
I actually think that this story might work better as a television series, because it lends itself to that format rather well (in my opinion).
October 17, 2023
English - good but not enough 😅 almost whole book nice reading about some stuff on planet Pluto, but the finish was too fast and from my point of view “cheap” :/
Czech - Proc jsem to cetl tak dlouho? Neslo o to ze by me to nebavilo ale byla moto sezona a nebyl cas cist :) … 3/4 te knihy supr - konec uz me nenqdchnul, defakto jsem ho precetl jen sporadicky abych to docetl, coz je skoda … myslim ze tam mohlo byt vice rozebrane to co se pak delo s Hvizdalama nez jen tak utnuty konec :/ proto i ty 3 hvezdy …
Czech - Proc jsem to cetl tak dlouho? Neslo o to ze by me to nebavilo ale byla moto sezona a nebyl cas cist :) … 3/4 te knihy supr - konec uz me nenqdchnul, defakto jsem ho precetl jen sporadicky abych to docetl, coz je skoda … myslim ze tam mohlo byt vice rozebrane to co se pak delo s Hvizdalama nez jen tak utnuty konec :/ proto i ty 3 hvezdy …
April 29, 2024
I feel like the book and author have a lot of potential and it’s a very cool idea but I wasn’t a huge fan because it was hard to follow the plot and the science was in the way of the fiction a lot of the time. Lucien as the main character who never got mad or irritated was also hard to believe.
November 29, 2023
Wenn du dich schon immer gefragt hast, wie es wäre, einen ganzen Planeten umzugestalten, um ihn bewohnbar zu machen, dann ist „Projekt Pluto“ von Lucy Kissick genau das richtige Buch für dich. Dieser Science-Fiction-Roman entführt uns in eine nicht allzu ferne Zukunft, in der sich die Menschheit über das gesamte Sonnensystem ausgebreitet hat und mit Hilfe hochentwickelter Technologien Terraforming betreibt. Nach den Monden des Neptun soll nun auch der Pluto bewohnbar gemacht werden, was gar nicht so einfach ist, denn der Pluto ist ein Ort, an den kaum Sonnenlicht dringt. Aber was ist, wenn jemand eine Sabotage bei diesem gigantischen Unterfangen im Sinn hat? Und was hat ein kleines Mädchen damit zu tun, das nicht mehr spricht?
Wenn es um die Besiedlung anderer Himmelskörper in unserem Sonnensystem geht, ist meist vom Mars die Rede, der vielleicht wegen seiner markanten roten Farbe und als direkter Nachbar der Erde eine besondere Faszination auf uns Menschen ausübt. Umso erfrischender ist es, dass sich „Projekt Pluto“ nicht um den Mars dreht, nicht einmal im inneren Sonnensystem spielt, sondern weit ab vom Schuss, wo kaum Sonnenlicht hinkommt, nämlich auf Pluto, einem der kältesten Orte unseres gesamten Sonnensystems. Und wer sich ein wenig auskennt, weiß, dass Temperaturen im dreistelligen Minusbereich nicht unbedingt die besten Voraussetzungen für Leben sind - und damit natürlich auch nicht für die Besiedlung durch den Menschen. Und genau das ist es, was das Buch so spannend macht, denn die ganze Zeit will man wissen, ob das Team, das für das Terraforming des Pluto zuständig ist, Erfolg haben wird. Und vor allem, wie es ihnen gelingt. Die Ansätze, die im Buch verwendet werden, sind außerdem alle wissenschaftlich fundiert. Das hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Man merkt, dass Lucy Kissick, die das Buch geschrieben hat, definitiv vom Fach ist, und das macht es nur noch authentischer.
Obwohl es recht wissenschaftlich zugeht, ist der Roman nicht so geschrieben, dass man ihn als Laie nicht verstehen könnte. Im Gegenteil, Lucy Kissick versteht es, die Dinge so verständlich darzustellen, dass man gut folgen kann, ohne ständig komplizierte Fachbegriffe nachschlagen zu müssen. Und in meinem Fall hat es sogar dazu geführt, dass ich mich mit bestimmten Themen wie Pluto noch intensiver beschäftigt habe, weil mich das Buch so neugierig gemacht hat.
Davon abgesehen liest sich das Buch sehr wie eine Space Opera. So geht es trotz der Sabotage rund um das Projekt „Plutoshine“ eher ruhig zu und die Charaktere stehen im Vordergrund. Das heißt aber nicht, dass es keine abenteuerlicheren Szenen gibt. Der Fokus liegt nur nicht darauf und man kann auch einfach keine knallharte Action erwarten. Das würde aber auch nicht in die Handlung passen, so dass es nicht einmal schlecht ist.
Die Figuren sind wirklich sehr liebevoll gestaltet. Sie sind alle sehr facettenreich und so geschaffen, dass man sehr gut nachvollziehen kann, was sie bewegt. Der Protagonist des Buches ist Lucian, der als Ingenieur am Terraforming-Projekt beteiligt ist. Vom Charakter her hat er mich sehr an Anawak aus „Der Schwarm“ von Frank Schätzing erinnert. Er ist ein herzensguter Mensch, der sich des stummen Mädchens Nou annimmt und ihm beibringt, auf andere Weise zu kommunizieren. Mit Nous Hilfe versucht er, den Sabotageakt aufzudecken, der das Projekt „Plutoshine“ gefährdet und stößt dabei auf ein Geheimnis, das alles verändern könnte.
„Projekt Pluto“ ist ein spannender, einfühlsamer und wissenschaftlich fundierter Roman, der den Leser mitnimmt auf eine Reise zu einem der faszinierendsten Orte unseres Sonnensystems: Pluto. Ich kann dieses Buch sowohl alten Hasen als auch Neulingen in diesem Genre nur empfehlen. Es ist wirklich jede einzelne Leseminute wert!
Wenn es um die Besiedlung anderer Himmelskörper in unserem Sonnensystem geht, ist meist vom Mars die Rede, der vielleicht wegen seiner markanten roten Farbe und als direkter Nachbar der Erde eine besondere Faszination auf uns Menschen ausübt. Umso erfrischender ist es, dass sich „Projekt Pluto“ nicht um den Mars dreht, nicht einmal im inneren Sonnensystem spielt, sondern weit ab vom Schuss, wo kaum Sonnenlicht hinkommt, nämlich auf Pluto, einem der kältesten Orte unseres gesamten Sonnensystems. Und wer sich ein wenig auskennt, weiß, dass Temperaturen im dreistelligen Minusbereich nicht unbedingt die besten Voraussetzungen für Leben sind - und damit natürlich auch nicht für die Besiedlung durch den Menschen. Und genau das ist es, was das Buch so spannend macht, denn die ganze Zeit will man wissen, ob das Team, das für das Terraforming des Pluto zuständig ist, Erfolg haben wird. Und vor allem, wie es ihnen gelingt. Die Ansätze, die im Buch verwendet werden, sind außerdem alle wissenschaftlich fundiert. Das hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Man merkt, dass Lucy Kissick, die das Buch geschrieben hat, definitiv vom Fach ist, und das macht es nur noch authentischer.
Obwohl es recht wissenschaftlich zugeht, ist der Roman nicht so geschrieben, dass man ihn als Laie nicht verstehen könnte. Im Gegenteil, Lucy Kissick versteht es, die Dinge so verständlich darzustellen, dass man gut folgen kann, ohne ständig komplizierte Fachbegriffe nachschlagen zu müssen. Und in meinem Fall hat es sogar dazu geführt, dass ich mich mit bestimmten Themen wie Pluto noch intensiver beschäftigt habe, weil mich das Buch so neugierig gemacht hat.
Davon abgesehen liest sich das Buch sehr wie eine Space Opera. So geht es trotz der Sabotage rund um das Projekt „Plutoshine“ eher ruhig zu und die Charaktere stehen im Vordergrund. Das heißt aber nicht, dass es keine abenteuerlicheren Szenen gibt. Der Fokus liegt nur nicht darauf und man kann auch einfach keine knallharte Action erwarten. Das würde aber auch nicht in die Handlung passen, so dass es nicht einmal schlecht ist.
Die Figuren sind wirklich sehr liebevoll gestaltet. Sie sind alle sehr facettenreich und so geschaffen, dass man sehr gut nachvollziehen kann, was sie bewegt. Der Protagonist des Buches ist Lucian, der als Ingenieur am Terraforming-Projekt beteiligt ist. Vom Charakter her hat er mich sehr an Anawak aus „Der Schwarm“ von Frank Schätzing erinnert. Er ist ein herzensguter Mensch, der sich des stummen Mädchens Nou annimmt und ihm beibringt, auf andere Weise zu kommunizieren. Mit Nous Hilfe versucht er, den Sabotageakt aufzudecken, der das Projekt „Plutoshine“ gefährdet und stößt dabei auf ein Geheimnis, das alles verändern könnte.
„Projekt Pluto“ ist ein spannender, einfühlsamer und wissenschaftlich fundierter Roman, der den Leser mitnimmt auf eine Reise zu einem der faszinierendsten Orte unseres Sonnensystems: Pluto. Ich kann dieses Buch sowohl alten Hasen als auch Neulingen in diesem Genre nur empfehlen. Es ist wirklich jede einzelne Leseminute wert!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews