Book Review: Entropy (The Belt #2) by Gerald M. Kilby

Entropy (The Belt #2) by Gerald M. Kilby, Gerard M. Kilby
Narrator: Steven Jay Cohen
Series: The Belt #2
Published by Spoken Realms on 04-03-19
Genres: Science-Fiction, Space Opera
Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Narrator
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The science vessel, Hermes, has been urgently recalled from its mission to survey the moons of Saturn, just as First Officer Miranda Lee receives bad news from home—her mother is dying so she must leave the ship and return to Earth—for good. Commander Scott McNabb is so distraught by her sudden decision to leave that he pays little or no attention to the parameters of the new mission being requested by the Council of Europa.
Big mistake.
Powerful forces on Earth are now moving to resume inter-AI communications, risking the development of an all-out war. But other powers within the System are also mobilizing to prevent them from achieving their objective. Scott and the remaining crew of the Hermes are totally unaware that they are now at the very nexus of an inter-planetary battle—and ultimately heading toward disaster.
As the mission starts to fall apart Scott begins to realize the secrets that the ship’s QI, Aria, has been hiding from them all along. Secrets that could tip the balance of power within the System. He must now put aside all thoughts of Miranda and focus on trying to save his crew—including Aria. Failure to do so could ultimately plunge the entire System into total chaos.
No pressure, then.
About Entropy: The story is set a few centuries into the future where humanity has colonized most of the inner solar system. The asteroid belt (The Belt) is now a hive of mining activity and ships ply the trade routes to Earth and Mars. The technology depicted is, for the most part, what I consider to be technically plausible, although I do stretch it a little with quantum entanglement. That said, you won’t need a calculator or a slide-rule to enjoy the story.

Scott McNabb’s ship is out on a scientific mission, but they are asked to return to undergo a special diplomatic mission organized by the Council of Europa. Miranda, who is having a relationship with Scott, is urgently called to Earth because her mother is dying, and her rich family is sending an airship to fetch her. Nothing is going as planned for Scott when he finds out that his ship’s QI, Aria, is hiding some secrets that could make a difference in a war that has been boiling for some time.

I was looking forward to continuing this series, as I had enjoyed the first book. Here some of the main characters are different to the ones in the first book, but the main story arc evolves and we get more information about the risks of a possible war and who can be the players. Like in book one, the QI’s play a crucial role, and their motivations and modus operandi is something above every human weakness.

This is a quite different story than the one in the first book, but there was still plenty of action, emotions, and intrigue. Scott and his friends’ lives were in danger more than once, and we find out about the main bad guys in this story. There is still a lot to be said in this conflict, and I foresee that the QI’s willing play again an important hand to in it.

Steven Jay Cohen’s narration was highly enjoyable. He not only did bring the characters to life but he also transmitted their emotions very powerfully. The characters are well written, but not sure Cohen’s interpretations brought them to the next level, and it was impossible not to care for them.

I am looking forward to listening to the final installment on this series and see where this all goes to. I am truly intrigued! The

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Story (Plot)
Narration
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