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" Once I started I realized that I'd read this book before. I enjoyed it the second time even though I knew what was comming. "
- Dennis, 2/17/2014
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" While Bova is known for delivering very hard science fiction, this novel is likely to leave SF fans dissapointed. This noevel shows more realistically what the early ground stages of space exploration would entail. It is more of a novel of intrigue and suspense. It lacks the common tropes of science fiction, but it shows that to get to the point of space colonization, it would require a lot of initial work. It illustrates how developing a power satelite would be beneficial for our planet to have alternate sources of energy. The portrayal of Muslims/Arabs is somewhat questionable and was clearly written in the aftermath of 9/11. Again, it is a more realistic and practical story involving a concept that is currently science fiction, but may appeal more to readers of the political suspense genre rather than Bova's usual domain of SF. "
- David, 2/14/2014
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" I picked this up as it is supposed to be the start of Bova's Grand Tour Series. It is more of a political thriller in the same vein as Clancy with some SF notions thrown in. The plot moved along nicely and kept me interested, although it was a bit far fetched at times. It did impress me enough that I'll try some of the other books in the series. "
- John, 2/9/2014
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" a real page turner- finished all 400pages in 1 week "
- Joanne, 1/9/2014
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" Good adventure story firmly rooted in science and current events. Well written. Plot is well crafted, characters well described. Biggest weakness is that there is little suspense toward the end. The evil guys are transparent and the heros win, as usual. "
- Richard, 1/9/2014
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" couldn't develop an interest. I started but did not finish. Characters were simplistic, and I am always suspicious when the same characters keep popping up in different situations, as if there aren't 6 billion people on the planet. "
- Vinny, 1/1/2014
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" I wanted hard sci-fi and I found this one to be a political thriller with a little tech filled in. It was OK, just not what I was in the mood for. "
- Terri, 12/27/2013
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" Not one of Ben Bova's best. Interesting read though and a good climax. Wish he wouldn't use so many of those "double-damn's". It's really not how people actually talk. If you swear, then swear properly. Just my 2 cents. "
- Victor, 11/28/2013
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" It was a bit of a slog but decent. Reading it because I've read one or two others sort of loosely further in this "series" that I like. "
- Sarebear, 10/30/2013
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" I've enjoyed other Bova books, but this was really disappointing. The main character was unlikeable, the plot really thin. I was expecting science fiction and got a poor attempt at a techno-thriller. Bova should leave that genre to Tom Clancy. "
- Sylvia, 10/22/2013
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" Golden-age science-fiction written in a more modern style. Generally a good book, though the plot occasionally has holes in it. "
- Shannon, 7/27/2013
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" I just couldn't get into this book, Bova has written so many other works that are at least a bit better than this thing. Characters are mostly stereotypes and I just couldn't muster up much caring about the plot line or anything else. Total waste of my time. "
- Craig, 5/3/2013
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" A mixture of 'Tucker: A Man and His Dream' in space and 'Syriana', Powersat is a fun, if not terribly well written, tale of high technology, corporate maneuvering, and politics set in the near future. "
- Jeffrey, 4/28/2013
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" Decent sci-fi thriller. I'll probably try another of Bova's books at some point. "
- Billy, 4/14/2013
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" Typical Bova characters. The storyline is ok, but I didnt quite buy that the main character keep wanting the woman that was his old flame. Get over it. Nothing to great about the book, but not a waste of time either. "
- Allen, 3/25/2013
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" bit tiresome,nice if you like satellites & good for prelude to grand tour,..hard work & seemingly pointless. "
- Russ, 2/10/2013
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" What a piece of crap. Everything I hate about cheap, lazy SF. "
- Christian, 11/10/2012
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" Liked it, great science, awesome idea. Wish we still had a viable space program, instead of the shell of what the past two administrations have done to NASA. Not a fan of the depiction of Muslims. The real science idea of a solar collector satellite is so intriguing, wish they'd do it! "
- Steven, 9/15/2012
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" Dan Randolf is my hero! "
- Drew, 8/21/2012
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" A fast pace story of technology, Luddites, and terrorists. "
- Rob, 8/16/2012
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" Just not that great. I read it because I figured i'd start with Bova's grand tour in chronological order, but it really feels like he phoned this one in. There's nothing you need to know from this book that you can't pick up just starting with Privateers, a much better novel. "
- Inlinefourpower, 6/19/2012
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" I love Ben Bova's books. Of course I am a Sci-Fi geek at times. "
- Keith, 12/13/2011
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