From the Hugo Award-winning author of Between Two Thorns comes the first novel in a captivating science fiction series where a secret withheld to protect humanity’s future may lead to its undoing… Washington Post
Renata Ghali believed in Lee Suh-Mi’s vision of a world far beyond Earth, calling to humanity. A planet promising to reveal the truth about our place in the cosmos, untainted by overpopulation, pollution, and war. Ren believed in that vision enough to give up everything to follow Suh-Mi into the unknown.
More than twenty-two years have passed since Ren and the rest of the faithful braved the starry abyss and established a colony at the base of an enigmatic alien structure where Suh-Mi has since resided, alone. All that time, Ren has worked hard as the colony’s 3-D printer engineer, creating the tools necessary for human survival in an alien environment, and harboring a devastating secret.
Ren continues to perpetuate the lie forming the foundation of the colony for the good of her fellow colonists, despite the personal cost. Then a stranger appears, far too young to have been part of the first planetfall, a man who bears a remarkable resemblance to Suh-Mi.
The truth Ren has concealed since planetfall can no longer be hidden. And its revelation might tear the colony apart…
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This is an excellent character-based Sci Fi, one of those where in the end it hardly matters that it takes place on a different planet, because the characters are so real. However, Newman adds great flavor with the Sci Fi element, tackling advanced technology, 3d printing, and other concepts. I can’t say a lot more without spoiling the book, so go read it–this one is hard to put down!
I almost couldn’t finish this book because I struggle with a prejudice against hoarders, and one features prominently. As I said, almost. Still working on myself…
An unusual look at a colony of explorers and their adjustments to life on a different world. it becomes apparent that things are not as first observed. They are a community of people that are not exactly friends but are intertwined parts of a society obligated to each other to exist. The status quo is unchanged for decades if not more. Existence seems to be the only goal and achievement of this colony, until a stranger arrives. A stranger that resembles one who is no longer alive.
I enjoyed author Emma Newman’s writing style and story telling. Her voice is very pleasant and made for an enjoyable audio experience.
Interesting concepts, well written but not satisfying
I’d been hearing good things about Planetfall for years and recently I decided to pick it up. It is so much better than people had said. Engrossing mysteries aside, the world building alone is wonderful and the way the characters unfold and reveal themselves over the course of the book is riveting.
stopped after a bit. boring even with an interesting premise. may try again after a few other books.
Good hard sci fi
Another science fiction with an older woman as the protoganist, and a flawed, not-so-wise older woman, too. I can relate. I really like that this book takes the issue of *** into outer space. I had to go back and put in the *** into this review to avoid a small but important spoiler of the plot and character development.
This was a deceptively small story about a few days on an extra-terrestial colony. Things seem perfect, and then everything goes wrong, as decades old lies come to surface. Ren’s personal unravelling was especially well described. The ending wasn’t at all what I expected, but it fit the story perfectly. Brilliant book.
good book for the genre and expanding new ideas people put into it
It was kind of boring. Nothing really happens until the end.
Ultimately too grim for me, but characters kept me going to see what happened.
Imaginative
Intelligent , well written, different.
truly original, well depicted society with original characters
Very original. The only thing missing is some comic relief.
As a former psychologist I found this book an insightful study of someone experiencing a hoarder disorder. The fact that it takes place on a planet colonized by a group seeking god makes this a wonderful reading experience.
Ok a little let down at the end.
I got bored and did not finish it.