Fantastic Voyage: Microcosm [Paperback]

Kevin J. Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2001

An unidentified flying object has been shot down from the sky-and a single strange pod has survived intact.

Now Team Proteus-a U.S.-Russian crew of scientists, doctors and technicians-will be reduced in size using new miniaturization techniques and injected through the surface of the pod. So begins the most startling voyage of exploration in human history...

Inside the body of an alien.

Praise for Kevin J. Anderson:

Arguably the most prolific, most successful author working in [science fiction] today. (Algis Budrys)

The heir apparent to Arthur C. Clarke. (Daniel Keys Moran, author of The Last Dancer)

A rare combination of talent and practicality. (Starlog)

The hottest writer on (or off) the planet. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anderson's sizzling sci-fi thriller resurrects the technology of miniaturization introduced in the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage. This time, however, the body through which shrunken crew members maneuver is alien rather than human. When Russian MiG fighters shoot down an unidentified flying object, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vasili Garamov decides to ship the surviving pod to a group of scientists secluded in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Garamov is a silent partner in Project Proteus, a joint U.S.-Russian operation dedicated to the process of miniaturization, and this new specimen could be just what the organization needs to prove the technology to the rest of the world. At project headquarters, a witty and intelligently portrayed cast of characters oversees and participates in the miniaturization process that leaves an entire vessel and its crew smaller than a human cell and ready to explore the gray-skinned alien lying dormant inside the pod. In a startling and, frankly, far-fetched turn of events, the explorers discover information about the alien that jeopardizes the expedition and the future of humanity. Anderson (The Gorn Crisis, etc.) writes with humor, sensitivity and clarity. Casual sci-fi fans as well as newcomers to the genre will enjoy this well-paced, energetic narrative.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (May 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451409434
• ISBN-13: 978-0451409430
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,020,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin J. Anderson has written 46 national bestsellers and has over 20 million books in print worldwide in thirty languages. He has been nominated for the Nebula Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the SFX Readers' Choice Award. Find out more about Kevin Anderson at www.wordfire.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Voyage = One Fantastic Yarn, December 6, 2001

By 

Jeff Edwards "RadioJeff" (Twin Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Fantastic Voyage: Microcosm (Paperback)

I still remember watching the original 'Fantastic Voyage' on TV many, many years ago and found myself totally immersed in the adventure. I was thrilled to see the novel written by Isaac Asimov, although he based it upon the screenplay, which is something Isaac is definitely NOT known for doing. He then went on to write his own version: 'Fantastic Voyage: Destination Brain' which again was fun, but I found it to be not quite up to the usual Asimov level of entertainment and intellectual stimulation. Now comes Kevin J. Anderson and a version which takes us inside the body of a real alien. Could there be a better premise for a novel about miniaturization?

I am happy to say that Anderson does a Fantastic job of taking an idea originated by someone else, and taking it to a higher level of science AND entertainment. Now, it has been mentioned before that this book isn't going to make anyone smarter by reading it, but, it certainly WILL give you an entertaining thrill while you do.

I read some reviewers now and again who base a books readability upon an almost impossible set of statistics that virtually NO book will ever live up to...are the locations of each novel 100% accurate? Is the science verifiable and factual? I personally base MY enjoyment upon whether or not I actually ENJOY the story, NOT the messy details...not that they aren't important or appreciated when an author goes out of their way to do the research, but I personally don't believe miniaturization is possible--at least not yet anyway--and therefore NO amount of scientific explanation, no matter HOW plausible and sophisticated it sounds will suddenly sway my opinion on whether or not a novel is actually worth reading. However, Anderson has written the technical details in such a way that whether or not miniaturization IS possible, it sure SOUNDS possible.

Oh yeah, one more thing: This story MOVES. Yes, it DOES take a chapter or two before the plot really unfolds, but trust me, when it finally takes flight, make sure your seatbelt is fastened and your tray is in the full and upright position 'cuz you suddenly go super-sonic super fast. The imagination alone it took to craft this story is worth the price of the novel...but the fact that Anderson has given us a great story as well certainly underscores his raw talent at storytelling. Buy this book and set aside an afternoon of virtual adventure in Innerspace...you won't be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of action, June 14, 2001

By 

harvey dent "harvey_dent" (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantastic Voyage: Microcosm (Paperback)

This story spends about a hundred pages developing diverse intersting characters and then BANG sends them on a fantastic voyage. While I did not find the actual voyage into the alien that exciting, it was definitely suspenseful. What was more interesting to me was the story that was happening outside the alien among the politicians, diplomats, and the poor doctors. This was page-turning stuff! I think that the problem with the voyage inside the body was that it plays better on the big screen where one can visualize the suspense among the myriad of special effects. The narrative does just not do it justice. Great characters, a mysterious alien, and a good tale make this a four star book.

5.0 out of 5 stars none, May 29, 2001

By 

Gary S. Potter (mount Pleasant, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantastic Voyage: Microcosm (Paperback)

What Asimov's 'Fantastic Voyage' did for the human body; Anderson does for the alien. 'Microcosm' is at once filled with chilling alien exotica, fraught with danger, speculation, and awe,for that edge-of-your-seat ride. Anderson has written an exhilarating and fast-paced thriller that is a welcome companion to Asimov's original novel. Gary S. Potter Author/Poet.