Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Tor Books (2018)
Description
The Fated Sky looks forward to 1961, when mankind is well-established on the moon and looking forward to its next step, journeying to, and eventually colonizing, Mars. Of course the noted Lady Astronaut Elma York would like to go, but there's a lot riding on whoever the International Aerospace Coalition decides to send on this historic, but potentially very dangerous,-mission? Could Elma really leave behind her husband and the chance to start a family to spend several years traveling to Mars? And with the Civil Rights movement taking hold all over Earth, will the astronaut pool ever be allowed to catch up, and will these brave men and women of all races be treated equitably when they get there?
Awards
Seiun Award (Nominee — 2022)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018-08-21
ISBN
9780765398932
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member beserene
I have to say, I think the sequel might be even better than the first book in this alternate history series. All the things that I loved about the previous installment -- the exceptional attention to mid-twentieth century period detail, the honesty of Kowal's representation of characters and their
All I can really say is that I was delighted to hear that there are more books coming in the Lady Astronaut universe and I plan to read every single one. I think you should too.
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cultural experiences, her sympathetic characterizations and especially her treatment of mental illness, her evident appreciation for the science of space -- are all still here. The science of space, in fact, is even more abundant in this book, as we follow our heroine, Dr. Elma York, to the moon and beyond! But, better and better, here we get more even pacing, with a book that builds beautifully to its central adventure and doesn't let up until an ending to cheer for. An elegant structure and a fantastic second act for Dr. York's story.All I can really say is that I was delighted to hear that there are more books coming in the Lady Astronaut universe and I plan to read every single one. I think you should too.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This was an interesting read.Elma York has to balance her life as an astronaut with being the face of Lady Astronauts and she also has to prove that she is worthy of being on the trip and deal with the personal and political issues in the trip.
Full of details and intersting twists as to what might
Full of details and intersting twists as to what might
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have happened. The interpersonal stuff was very intriguing and kept me reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member Guide2
Good second book overall, a very quick entertaining read. Main complaint is way too much useless "astronaut-speak": a bit would have been ok for flavor, but enough with the coordinates!
LibraryThing member quondame
It's well done, but the real conflicts come from racism and sexism, and really, who needs the same shit I lived through in the 50s, 60s, 70s up through right now for entertainment, and the hard SF aspects haven't any wow for me.
LibraryThing member kmartin802
This is the continuation of THE CALCULATING STARS. This alternate history space adventure begins in in 1961. Elma is returning from the moon where a small colony has been established when the return ship goes off course and lands in Alabama instead of Kansas. They are invaded by six armed men who
Elma is rescued but the incident has long-lasting consequences. Some of the men who hijacked the ship were Black which just highlighted the racial divide that existed in the United States at the time. The racial divide is also apparent in the space program where there are very few who aren't White and those are often given lesser jobs.
The main focus of this story is the plan to colonize Mars. Because good publicity is needed and Elma is famous as the Lady Astronaut, she is asked to join this Mars expedition. This is a hard decision for her and her husband Nathaniel in many ways. It will mean another separation and putting off starting a family. The trip will take at least three years. Nathaniel's job as an engineer in the space program means that he will have to remain on Earth. Additionally, adding Elma to the mission one year in means that another astronaut - her friend Helen Carmouche, nee Liu - is being bumped from the mission. Helen is from Taiwan which causes more conflict as the switch makes the mission even less ethnically diverse. Elma faces resentment from her fellow crewmates because she bumped Helen and because she is so far behind in the training. It doesn't help that Stetson Parker is the mission commander. He and Elma have been at odds since they met during World War II.
The mission begins and many problems are faced including clogged toilets, an E Coli outbreak on the other ship which kills the ship's doctor, an ammonium leak that forces the crew of Elma's ship to move to the other ship until it is repaired. One of the most enduring problems is that the co-pilot of the second ship is from South Africa and really believes in Apartheid which makes it even more difficult for the Black members of the mission. Then, the mission loses contact with Mission Control on Earth which makes them all feel abandoned and concerned about their loved ones left behind.
This was a book that I couldn't put down. Each scene was so suspenseful that I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. The politics on Earth and within the space program had enough detail to make the story very realistic. In fact, many of the newspaper articles the began many chapters were actual articles from papers of the day.
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hold them hostage because they are angry that scarce resources are being devoted to the space program instead of dealing with problems on Earth that have been caused by the meteor strike some years earlier. Elma is rescued but the incident has long-lasting consequences. Some of the men who hijacked the ship were Black which just highlighted the racial divide that existed in the United States at the time. The racial divide is also apparent in the space program where there are very few who aren't White and those are often given lesser jobs.
The main focus of this story is the plan to colonize Mars. Because good publicity is needed and Elma is famous as the Lady Astronaut, she is asked to join this Mars expedition. This is a hard decision for her and her husband Nathaniel in many ways. It will mean another separation and putting off starting a family. The trip will take at least three years. Nathaniel's job as an engineer in the space program means that he will have to remain on Earth. Additionally, adding Elma to the mission one year in means that another astronaut - her friend Helen Carmouche, nee Liu - is being bumped from the mission. Helen is from Taiwan which causes more conflict as the switch makes the mission even less ethnically diverse. Elma faces resentment from her fellow crewmates because she bumped Helen and because she is so far behind in the training. It doesn't help that Stetson Parker is the mission commander. He and Elma have been at odds since they met during World War II.
The mission begins and many problems are faced including clogged toilets, an E Coli outbreak on the other ship which kills the ship's doctor, an ammonium leak that forces the crew of Elma's ship to move to the other ship until it is repaired. One of the most enduring problems is that the co-pilot of the second ship is from South Africa and really believes in Apartheid which makes it even more difficult for the Black members of the mission. Then, the mission loses contact with Mission Control on Earth which makes them all feel abandoned and concerned about their loved ones left behind.
This was a book that I couldn't put down. Each scene was so suspenseful that I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. The politics on Earth and within the space program had enough detail to make the story very realistic. In fact, many of the newspaper articles the began many chapters were actual articles from papers of the day.
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LibraryThing member jdifelice
4.5/5 stars
I just love this series. I love Elma, and Nathanial and how great their relationship is. I really enjoy the space exploration. I love the hope in this novel. There are so many things discussed and brought to life, but the hope is the one thing that really stands out to me. Overall, this
Such a great book and I recommend this series to everyone!
I just love this series. I love Elma, and Nathanial and how great their relationship is. I really enjoy the space exploration. I love the hope in this novel. There are so many things discussed and brought to life, but the hope is the one thing that really stands out to me. Overall, this
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next instalment in the Lady Astronaut series was great. I liked the struggles of everyone getting to Mars, and the realities of living in the States in the 60s - the racism, the sexism, and the inequality of minorities. Kowal does a great job incorporating these into her stories, and pushes Elma to check herself and realize she can't always help.Such a great book and I recommend this series to everyone!
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LibraryThing member BillieBook
I'm sorry this is done because I want more. I want to know about life on Mars. I want to see how Elma and Nathaniel's marriage changes in this new environment. I just want more.
LibraryThing member ladycato
I started on The Fated Sky the day after finishing the first book in the duology. Together, they are among my favorite reads for the year.
In this alternate history, an impact off the American eastern seaboard in the early 1950s killed millions and is starting to cause radical shifts in the planet's
This journey isn't simply a matched wits battle of scientific innovation and technology, but of humanity's own innate criticism and cruelty. This is the 1960s. The Civil Rights movement is underway. Racism and sexism plague the space program, even after Elma sets off on her journey with an intrepid crew. This is, at times, an uncomfortable read, as it should be. But it's also a beautiful one. This is science fiction full of ingenuity and genuine characters. These books brought tears to my eyes more than once. The Fated Sky is also an incredibly tense read. I cared deeply about these people and I needed them to be okay. To my shock, that even included Stetson Parker, a man I truly loathed and wished death upon in the first book. He evolves here to be an even more complicated and sympathetic character.
I could talk about the authentic feel of the science and jargon, and how multiple astronauts and NASA personnel vetted the material, but I want to end this review talking about the true backbone of these two books: the marriage of the Yorks. It is probably one of the most realistic depictions I've ever read, and I've read a lot. It reminded me a lot of my own marriage. My husband is an engineer like Nathaniel and in a similar crisis-management kind of job, so the resemblances and quirks felt eerie at times. Even though Elma was the one in the most peril, I felt downright panicky over Nathaniel at times, too.
In all truth, I think these two books are now up there as among my all-time favorites.
In this alternate history, an impact off the American eastern seaboard in the early 1950s killed millions and is starting to cause radical shifts in the planet's
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climate. Elma York, pilot and rocket program computer, has been involved in the efforts to get humanity space-born along with her husband, lead engineer Nathaniel York. A decade after the cataclysm, their efforts have led to the formation of a space station and base on the moon, but the ultimate goal is Mars. This journey isn't simply a matched wits battle of scientific innovation and technology, but of humanity's own innate criticism and cruelty. This is the 1960s. The Civil Rights movement is underway. Racism and sexism plague the space program, even after Elma sets off on her journey with an intrepid crew. This is, at times, an uncomfortable read, as it should be. But it's also a beautiful one. This is science fiction full of ingenuity and genuine characters. These books brought tears to my eyes more than once. The Fated Sky is also an incredibly tense read. I cared deeply about these people and I needed them to be okay. To my shock, that even included Stetson Parker, a man I truly loathed and wished death upon in the first book. He evolves here to be an even more complicated and sympathetic character.
I could talk about the authentic feel of the science and jargon, and how multiple astronauts and NASA personnel vetted the material, but I want to end this review talking about the true backbone of these two books: the marriage of the Yorks. It is probably one of the most realistic depictions I've ever read, and I've read a lot. It reminded me a lot of my own marriage. My husband is an engineer like Nathaniel and in a similar crisis-management kind of job, so the resemblances and quirks felt eerie at times. Even though Elma was the one in the most peril, I felt downright panicky over Nathaniel at times, too.
In all truth, I think these two books are now up there as among my all-time favorites.
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LibraryThing member bgknighton
1961 -- Elma York is finally going to space! She made it onto the Mars mission. The world is beginning it descent and she can see the end coming. too bad others are resistant. It is the first time man has to deal with the problems of living in space.
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
A good addition to this interesting series. Perhaps, Erma should have Jewish or Southern but not both, because her angst can be a little too much. In general, good insights into the complexities that long space travel will present eve for selected and highly motivated astronauts. The earthbound
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political struggles are distant but still factors to be considered. Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
Light entertaining read.
LibraryThing member Stevil2001
The Fated Sky continues the story begun in The Calculating Stars, of Elma "Lady Astronaut" York, and her mission to get into space. When the book opens, she's making regular runs to the lunar colony... but her real goal is to go on humanity's first trip to Mars, which is what occupies the majority
It's enjoyable stuff. I like those kind of space problem-solving stories; this is Apollo 13 or The Martian, but with more human drama because they're all cooped up together for so long. My biggest issue is that it feels a little tension-free at time, just because you know how a novel like this has to be structured, and it doesn't really throw any big surprises at you, just little ones. I think I probably liked the first one more, but this one had some great moments here and there.
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of the book.It's enjoyable stuff. I like those kind of space problem-solving stories; this is Apollo 13 or The Martian, but with more human drama because they're all cooped up together for so long. My biggest issue is that it feels a little tension-free at time, just because you know how a novel like this has to be structured, and it doesn't really throw any big surprises at you, just little ones. I think I probably liked the first one more, but this one had some great moments here and there.
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LibraryThing member Shrike58
I actually liked this installment rather better than the first book in the series. Nothing profound to add to what folks have already commented on, though there is a running interpersonal fight running through the mission that is just allowed to fade out in the end with no real emotional
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resolution; previous readers will know what I'm talking about. Maybe it will be grist for the mill in another story. Show Less
LibraryThing member theWallflower
A true sequel to the first–it’s a race against time to keep humanity alive after a meteor has crashed on Earth, giving it a much closer expiration date. The only solution is to travel to space. All of this was all in the first book.
Now that the space program’s been established, it’s time to
It’s not a complicated plot, but it’s still very good. Better than the first. Since the majority of the book takes place on the ship, there’s less of the global cultural zeitgeist the first had. Like there’s no hemming and hawing over stage fright or anti-anxiety medication. Which is good — we dealt with that in the first book, and the character overcame those obstacles. No need to run that race again.
What we are dealing with is the products of those cultures bringing that baggage with them into space and the strife it causes. It’s civil rights on the smaller scale. The “women in the kitchen”, “screw your regulations, they’re dying out there”, “either have children or have a career” type stuff. The last book’s antagonist is now our protagonist’s captain, which makes for good drama.
And it’s all dealt with smartly, knowing you can’t win all the battles (especially in the 1960s). I realized it’s a little like The Hunger Games mixed with The Right Stuff. The conflict between the public image you have to present to gain the public’s favor so they support you and keep you progressing versus the gritty realism of the science, the hard work, and the fact that not all of us survive.
The prose is a little less technical, but that’s good. If you can understand Apollo 13, you can understand this. And I’m definitely going to pick up the next book in the series.
Now that the space program’s been established, it’s time to
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put a colony on Mars. And our hero protagonist is part of the team making the year-long journey to the future with 1960’s technology.It’s not a complicated plot, but it’s still very good. Better than the first. Since the majority of the book takes place on the ship, there’s less of the global cultural zeitgeist the first had. Like there’s no hemming and hawing over stage fright or anti-anxiety medication. Which is good — we dealt with that in the first book, and the character overcame those obstacles. No need to run that race again.
What we are dealing with is the products of those cultures bringing that baggage with them into space and the strife it causes. It’s civil rights on the smaller scale. The “women in the kitchen”, “screw your regulations, they’re dying out there”, “either have children or have a career” type stuff. The last book’s antagonist is now our protagonist’s captain, which makes for good drama.
And it’s all dealt with smartly, knowing you can’t win all the battles (especially in the 1960s). I realized it’s a little like The Hunger Games mixed with The Right Stuff. The conflict between the public image you have to present to gain the public’s favor so they support you and keep you progressing versus the gritty realism of the science, the hard work, and the fact that not all of us survive.
The prose is a little less technical, but that’s good. If you can understand Apollo 13, you can understand this. And I’m definitely going to pick up the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member elenaj
I really enjoyed this book - it's a fitting follow-up to the first one, and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series next year. All of my specific praise and criticism is seriously spoilery. So I very much appreciated the inclusion of gay and trans characters in this installment,
I wouldn't have minded Parker dying, honestly, but that would have significantly changed the whole story. Speaking of Parker, I am very ambivalent about his redemption arc. Yes, his love and grief for his wife is sympathetic and touching, but his history as a predator hasn't gone away. I felt weird every time Elma hugged him or otherwise got physically affectionate with him. It makes sense that they would, after such a long time on the ship and going through so many traumatic things . . . But still, queasiness.
One of my minor irritants in the first book was the extreme cheesiness of the rocket puns in all of the sex scenes. That was blissfully lessened in this book thanks to Elma & Nathaniel's separation. I thought the coded messages were fun (I definitely did decode the one racy coded message she left untranslated) and in general, I liked the further development of their relationship.
Overall, solid and satisfying alternate history, with good attention to issues of race, gender, and religion.
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although I'm a bit cranky that one half of the gay couple dies, and we don't get any on-page PDAs. That said, I can understand the plot reasons for his death, and other than Elma and her friendly antagonist Parker, everyone on the crew was either queer or black. I wouldn't have minded Parker dying, honestly, but that would have significantly changed the whole story. Speaking of Parker, I am very ambivalent about his redemption arc. Yes, his love and grief for his wife is sympathetic and touching, but his history as a predator hasn't gone away. I felt weird every time Elma hugged him or otherwise got physically affectionate with him. It makes sense that they would, after such a long time on the ship and going through so many traumatic things . . . But still, queasiness.
One of my minor irritants in the first book was the extreme cheesiness of the rocket puns in all of the sex scenes. That was blissfully lessened in this book thanks to Elma & Nathaniel's separation. I thought the coded messages were fun (I definitely did decode the one racy coded message she left untranslated) and in general, I liked the further development of their relationship.
Overall, solid and satisfying alternate history, with good attention to issues of race, gender, and religion.
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LibraryThing member Nightwing
You can read my review of Book 1 in the Lady Astronaut series, The Calculating Stars, over at its page. This carries the journey to its next step, reaching and beginning to colonize Mars.
I read it all at one sitting. Exquisite creations of so many important issues, I shall leave it to the reader to
I rarely cry when I read a book. I really did with this one. Shed a tear at a death, but the tears really started to flow in the Epilogue. When you get there, you will understand.
I read it all at one sitting. Exquisite creations of so many important issues, I shall leave it to the reader to
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find them on their own.I rarely cry when I read a book. I really did with this one. Shed a tear at a death, but the tears really started to flow in the Epilogue. When you get there, you will understand.
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LibraryThing member lavaturtle
A well-written story that mixes space adventure/disaster, politics, and personal drama in a well-researched alternate history setting. I love the cast of characters. I also really like how this series compassionately portrays a protagonist who tries to do the right thing, messes up a lot,
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recognizes that, and then tries to do better. Show Less
LibraryThing member ladypembroke
There are not enough words to express how good this book was for me. To be fair, I skimmed a lot of the rocket jargon since I am not a rocket scientist. I do think my dad will enjoy that part. I did enjoy the science. And the characters. I laughed out loud a few times, and I cried hard at others. I
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tried not to compare the premise of this novel with the problems we face in our own time still today, but I could not help it. I want to see Artemis base happen. I want us to land on Mars. I'd prefer we not kill a significant portion of the population in a meteor strike to make that happen. Show Less
LibraryThing member renbedell
The sequel in the Lady Astronaut series continues with the protagonist journey to Mars. The main character is great, but the side characters were forgetful. There was no storyline and was more like a slice-of-life book. While I usually enjoy those types of books, the stakes were high and there was
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a deeper plot in the first book, therefore not having a deep plot in the sequel made it less enjoyable. This book just has things happen to create tension, but most of them are meaningless. Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Lady Astronaut series. There are three books released in this series right now with a fourth book planned (The Martian Contingency) for a later release. I borrowed a copy of this book on eBook through Kindle Unlimited.
Thoughts: This book picks up
The first part of this book takes place on Earth as Elma trains for the Mars mission and deals with other Earth politics. The second part takes place on the spaceship as she travels to Mars with the rest of the crew and deals with a variety of both mechanical issues and racism/sexism issues in space. Parts of the story were a bit slow but the ending was amazing. This actually wraps up the story at a very nice spot.
I really enjoyed the characters here. I love Elma and Nathaniel’s marriage; they are so supportive of each other even when they are planets apart. There is a lot around people being upset about both women and other ethnic groups (aside from white) going on the mission. Some of this carries on even in the spaceship. I did like how, even though there was a lot of personal strife on board the ship, the crew was still able to drop all personal issues and come together to work and solve problems when they developed. That is so true of working with a solid technical group, everything else can go on hold when there’s a good technical problem to be solved.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this second installment in the Lady Astronaut series. I continue to find the story and exploration going on here very interesting. The characters are engaging and the plot is well done. There were some slow parts early on in this book but I ended up being engrossed in the second half of the book and really enjoying it. I was a bit sad to hear that the third book moves away from Elma and Nathaniel, but I enjoy Kowal’s writing quite a bit so I am eager to read more and can’t wait to read the next book in the series, “The Relentless Moon”.
Thoughts: This book picks up
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some time after the first book ended. Elma has been ferrying people back and forth to the moon so that they can establish a colony there. Meanwhile, things are getting worse on Earth (environment-wise) and a group of people are starting to protest the time and money spent on the space program, which is making things rocky for the IAC. Elma gets asked at the last minute if she would be willing to go on the first mission to Mars in order to help boost public support and publicize the Mars mission in a more positive light. She is a bit torn since her and Nathaniel were talking about starting a family and this is a three year mission.The first part of this book takes place on Earth as Elma trains for the Mars mission and deals with other Earth politics. The second part takes place on the spaceship as she travels to Mars with the rest of the crew and deals with a variety of both mechanical issues and racism/sexism issues in space. Parts of the story were a bit slow but the ending was amazing. This actually wraps up the story at a very nice spot.
I really enjoyed the characters here. I love Elma and Nathaniel’s marriage; they are so supportive of each other even when they are planets apart. There is a lot around people being upset about both women and other ethnic groups (aside from white) going on the mission. Some of this carries on even in the spaceship. I did like how, even though there was a lot of personal strife on board the ship, the crew was still able to drop all personal issues and come together to work and solve problems when they developed. That is so true of working with a solid technical group, everything else can go on hold when there’s a good technical problem to be solved.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this second installment in the Lady Astronaut series. I continue to find the story and exploration going on here very interesting. The characters are engaging and the plot is well done. There were some slow parts early on in this book but I ended up being engrossed in the second half of the book and really enjoying it. I was a bit sad to hear that the third book moves away from Elma and Nathaniel, but I enjoy Kowal’s writing quite a bit so I am eager to read more and can’t wait to read the next book in the series, “The Relentless Moon”.
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LibraryThing member LibraryCin
This is the second in the “Lady Astronaut” series. I am trying to write the summary so as not to spoil the first book. It’s 1961 and astronauts are training to go to Mars. When the celebrity calculator, Elma, somewhat reluctantly (it’s hard to leave her husband for at least 3 years) agrees
I liked this better than the first one (I’m rating it higher, anyway). It’s been a while since I read the first, but I think there were some parts where I was bored, I lost interest. That did not happen at all in this one. I liked (most of) the characters and even the ones I didn’t like made for an interesting story. There is also a lot of prejudices, racism, and sexism, along with a lot of conflict, but it’s a tight space shared for a long time. I really liked this one.
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to go on the mission (even though others have already been training for months), she didn’t realize she would be taking another’s place. That person is her Taiwanese friend Helen. There are groups on Earth also protesting the mission. I liked this better than the first one (I’m rating it higher, anyway). It’s been a while since I read the first, but I think there were some parts where I was bored, I lost interest. That did not happen at all in this one. I liked (most of) the characters and even the ones I didn’t like made for an interesting story. There is also a lot of prejudices, racism, and sexism, along with a lot of conflict, but it’s a tight space shared for a long time. I really liked this one.
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LibraryThing member wanderlustlover
Fall 2021 (November)
~ 2021 Hugo Nomination: Novel
Stars: 3.7-8ish, rounded up 4
This book went by a little slower than a lot of the other reads lately, but, perhaps, that makes a lot of sense given that this book is taking place on the long, slow, and relatively uneventful path toward Mars with
I continue to love the York's so very deeply, and their scenes fill me with so many tender emotions. The slow slide of revealing more of Parker's character was well done. I do have to agree that I find myself agree with some other readers in that 'things happen to Elma, rather than her making things happen' is happening a lot in this book, same as book one. I definitely teared up for the funeral.
~ 2021 Hugo Nomination: Novel
Stars: 3.7-8ish, rounded up 4
This book went by a little slower than a lot of the other reads lately, but, perhaps, that makes a lot of sense given that this book is taking place on the long, slow, and relatively uneventful path toward Mars with
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barely the group of a dozen. I continue to love the York's so very deeply, and their scenes fill me with so many tender emotions. The slow slide of revealing more of Parker's character was well done. I do have to agree that I find myself agree with some other readers in that 'things happen to Elma, rather than her making things happen' is happening a lot in this book, same as book one. I definitely teared up for the funeral.
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LibraryThing member James_Knupp
I had read "The Calculating Stars" almost exactly one year ago today. I didn't realize it when I chose "The Fated Sky" as my next read, but I enjoy the serendipity. Thankfully, I found that "The Fated Sky" held up to its predecessor fantastically.
While "The Calculating Stars" dealt a lot more with
Outside of the social issues, Kowal's writing still stands out. The majority of the book takes place on the 320-day voyage to Mars, and so takes place in a confined space. Kowal stills manages to create drama and ratchet up tension whenever you get too comfortable with the tales of the day-to-day of managing an interstellar voyage. The various issues the crews of the Nina and the Pinta deal with feel viscerally real and got my heart rate up several times. The technical jargon flows well, despite me being utterly incapable of understanding it.
I am in love with this series, and I'm stoked to be delving into the next one tomorrow.
While "The Calculating Stars" dealt a lot more with
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sexism and misogyny than racism, it did still deal with the racial tensions of the 1950s. "The Fated Sky" inverses this, dealing much more heavily with issues of racism and bigotry, while still highlighting the issues of sexism that were heavily prevalent in that time. What I find Mary Robinette Kowal does well with the character of Elma York is portray someone who, while facing her own battle with discrimination, can overlook or minimize the issues of discrimination that others face. Elma York embodies a lot of times what can be performative allieship. She believes that her struggles are largely the same as others who have faced and still face greater discrimination. And in fighting to end her barriers believes she is fighting for everyone and can speak for everyone. MRK does well to other characters confront Elma on this without sugar coating it, not treating the subject with kid gloves.Outside of the social issues, Kowal's writing still stands out. The majority of the book takes place on the 320-day voyage to Mars, and so takes place in a confined space. Kowal stills manages to create drama and ratchet up tension whenever you get too comfortable with the tales of the day-to-day of managing an interstellar voyage. The various issues the crews of the Nina and the Pinta deal with feel viscerally real and got my heart rate up several times. The technical jargon flows well, despite me being utterly incapable of understanding it.
I am in love with this series, and I'm stoked to be delving into the next one tomorrow.
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LibraryThing member SChant
It's a bit more clunky than The Calculating Stars at first but settles down quickly into another gripping story of early space-flight, developing existing characters, introducing new ones, and thoroughly examining the rigours of interplanetary travel.
LibraryThing member Treebeard_404
I had no idea the second Lady Astronaut book would come out so soon after the first. It was pure luck that it surfaced in one of my news feeds. Kowal's novel series continues to be engrossing, both as an alternate timeline narrative and as a social commentary. If there are no further books in this
[Audiobook note: Kowal reads the audiobook herself. She was already one of my favorite readers of other people's novels. So I knew that it would be a treat to hear her read her own work.]
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series, this is a satisfying place to end it. But I still hope there's more.[Audiobook note: Kowal reads the audiobook herself. She was already one of my favorite readers of other people's novels. So I knew that it would be a treat to hear her read her own work.]
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