The Fated Sky

by

trade paperback, 384 pages

English language

Published Jan. 30, 2018 by Tom Doherty Associates Book.

ISBN:
978-0-7653-9894-9
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5 stars (2 reviews)

The Fated Sky continued the grand sweep of alternate history begun in The Calculating Stars. It is 1961, and the International Aerospace Coalition has established a colony on the moon. Elma York, the noted Lady Astronaut, is working on rotation, flying shuttles on the moon and returning regularly to Earth. But humanity must get a foothold on Mars. The first exploratory mission is being planned, and none of the women astronauts is on the crew list. The international Aerospace Coalition has grave reservations about sending their "Lady Astronauts" on such a dangerous mission. The problem with that is the need for midjourney navigation calculations. The new electronic computation machines are not reliable and not easily programmed. It might be okay for a backup, but there will have to be a human computer on board. And all the computers are women.

2 editions

reviewed The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal (Lady Astronaut)

Review of 'The Fated Sky' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Devoured in one sitting last night. This was just exquisite. The promise of the first book was fully delivered upon and all the 'second album' pitfalls avoided. These books are exhaustively researched and that detail helps sell the story and setting. Strong characterisation helps underpin the themes where the author is detailing the racism and misogyny of the period setting. It also shows, perhaps, a way forward with these issues. Obviously recommended as I have punted 5 stars on it. This series is definitely worth your time.

reviewed The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal (Lady Astronaut)

Review of 'The Fated Sky' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Finished a book in a single sitting (minus a plane landing) after a long time. By the end of it, you are so much more appreciative of how hard writing a good Historical SF novel is.

I was also appreciative of Parker's redemption ark. His character grows so much, and you feel for York's confused feelings - playing asshole or not?

For the book itself - if you've already read Book 1 (which came out just last month), go ahead and read this, if only for figuring out how hard getting to Mars is.

Some of this book is going to become my NASA headcanon now.

Subjects

  • Meteors
  • Manned space flight
  • Women astronauts
  • Interplanetary voyages
  • Fiction

Places

  • United States