The Fated Sky - bookrastinating.com

KevSaund reviewed The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal

Review of 'The Fated Sky' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I love these books. I read 2 & 3 in the wrong order, mostly because of library availability, but since they take place at roughly the same time it wasn’t a problem. I’d probably rate The Relentless Moon just slightly higher because it’s basically a spy novel on the moon. But I’m here to review The Fated Sky and what a journey it is. Somehow Kowal manages to balance the science with rich characterization. I feel like I know these people, and Dr. Elma York in particular. This book asks the question, what if we went to Mars in the 60s and answers it with unbelievable detail and unending heart.

Kadomi reviewed The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal

Review of 'The Fated Sky' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Set 10 years after the meteor crashed onto Earth in The Calculating Stars, the early 60s are a time of unrest. Hit hardest by the aftermath of the meteor strike are PoC, and a movement called Earth First is looking to sabotage space travel. Our protagonist is Elma York again, and this time the lady astronaut is going on the first trip to Mars.

I enjoyed this more than the first book. It's not all about Elma, her anxiety issues and marital rocket launches this time, though there was some of that too. It's shining when the long trip to Mars starts, revealing racism and its effect. In that regard this book hits close to home in 2020. I did not care for the bury your gays trope. Must we really, still?

The trip to Mars is tense, there's a bit of character development and you learn a lot about …

Set 10 years after the meteor crashed onto Earth in The Calculating Stars, the early 60s are a time of unrest. Hit hardest by the aftermath of the meteor strike are PoC, and a movement called Earth First is looking to sabotage space travel. Our protagonist is Elma York again, and this time the lady astronaut is going on the first trip to Mars.

I enjoyed this more than the first book. It's not all about Elma, her anxiety issues and marital rocket launches this time, though there was some of that too. It's shining when the long trip to Mars starts, revealing racism and its effect. In that regard this book hits close to home in 2020. I did not care for the bury your gays trope. Must we really, still?

The trip to Mars is tense, there's a bit of character development and you learn a lot about diarrhea in zero g.

Tom Boucher reviewed The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal

Review of 'The Fated Sky' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I missed this book and the first when they first came out so I got to read them back to back.

It’s a beautiful book and everyone should read them. Especially during 2020. With all the division and anger and frustration going on this alternate timeline captures and shows all of it.

I’m very much looking for the next one.