Customer Reviews

Oxygen (Oxygen Series, Book 1)

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed Ingermanson's "Transgression," but this book takes his writing to another level. What starts out as a basic trip to Mars (could that really be basic?) turns into a nightmare of suspicion, sabotage, and stretches of faith. Through witty and believable dialogue, with detailed research and thorough but never cumbersome facts, the authors sweep us along into a captivating scenario. Along the way, we come to know Bob and Valkerie and the others that surround their work and relationship. The web of suspicion draws tighter and tighter until the last fifty pages when even further surprises are revealed. What seems to be a fairly straightforward survival-in-space story contains much more. I read the last paragraph with a smile, a short laugh, and my heart in my throat. This is smooth and effortless storytelling. Well worth it.

Didn't want to put it down, but things (ie. work, eating, sleeping) required me to. The story line was well thought out and written and the suspense was at times too much to bear, especially when Valkerie was the only one of the four awake and hearing strange noises.

Randy, John: Get writing. At least 1 book about their work on Mars and 1 book to get them home.

There are several things that made this book such a great read. First is it is not that far in the future and all the technology is todays technology. No Star Trek gizmos. Second was the character development. By the end of the book I loved these guys. Third was the suspense. This was a real nail biting cliff hanger. The pace of the book was superb. I could not put it down. Fourth and lastly, It was emotional with out getting Saccharine.

This was a great book and I highly recommend it to everyone who loves to read.

This was a well-crafted story, with believable characters and good character development. Ingermanson has a great ability to create truly round characters, with real change- but believable change. It's pretty easy to make someone suddenly Christian and therefore perfect. He creates Christians that are flawed. It's pretty easy even for Christians to harsh on Christians, and show only their bad side. Ingermanson shows how they are different because Christ guides their life.

Ironically therefore the one flaw in the work is when he writes conversations, particularly religious conversations. He seems to present a more believable life when he is just describing the daily life. When he begins to have the characters talk about their beliefs, it's not completely bad, but there's something missing that makes the conversations sound a little too "religious".

It's still full science fiction though. The book looks at very plausible near future events, and all that could transpire. It is the best kind of science fiction, in not just trying to write about the future, but rather writing about real people, struggling in a future environment. Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of this is the issues of forgiveness, honesty, and paranoia. The characters have to learn to trust each other and God if they are to forgive; and to forgive if they are to survive. The reader then learns a little bit more about trusting God and others through the characters' lives.

I would recommend breathing deeply before jumping into this one! It really does take your breath away at times.

I was hooked from early on; I am not usually one to read anything having to do with space or science, and yet I simply couldn't put this book down. I was drawn in to the story, even feeling as if I was with the crew. And it kept me guessing until the very end.

The dialogue was believable. The characters were real. I could see what the authors were showing me, and my non-scientific mind was able to understand things I didn't think I could grasp.

Gripping, emotional but not sentimental, paced well -- I highly recommend this book!

Now I'm waiting for a sequel! (Please guys?)

The novel portion of this book is well written and engaging; no cheese, no corn and no fluff. However, I purchased it for the writer's resource sections at the end of the book. They exceeded my expectations! If you've ever read over your work and wondered why it just didn't have 'it', buy this book and review the bonus material at the end. It will fix you right up.

The authors have written this story in a knowledgeable and skilfull way. From start to finish you are riveted. As the Apollo 13 experience of NASA's past, you begin to worry as the crew meets each challenge to survive on the voyage to Mars. You are drawn in. Do purchase "Oxygen" It is worth the investment .

Get ready for a rip roaring ride to Mars. This is near future science fiction that both thinks and thrills. But best of all, between zigs and zags the authors have captured plainly how we wrestle with belief and doubt. The dialogue between astronauts about the question of our origins is the truest I've read. Give it a shot, and pass it on.

The plot of this book is great but the characters and action are sophmoric. It departs from reality in the first chapter when the Director of Johnson Space Flight Center drops in by helicopter unannoced to interview a space cadet candidate with no aeronautical or space background. It continues the farce when he becoms her personal mentor.

The action is more like a poorly scripted soap opera with everyone being suspicious of evryone else's love life, and secretive and indecicive about their own until the very end.

In terms of action, when Bob discovered the identitdy of a person who stole explosive devices and had access to the vehicle, but kept it to himself for fear of criticism of his hacking, then got on the ship and flew, I got lost.

The in-flight decision making processes are ridiculous. No one with shipboard or flight operations experience would take seriously the democratic process of making important decisions on board the space craft. The Captain of the vehicle would clearly state his orders while listening to suggestions from his crew. In the book, the voting on key decisions wasn't even initiated by the captain. On a navy ship, there would have been some disciplinary action for insubordination or mutny.

Other than that, it was great.

R. O. Briggs

Oxygen is a great novel. It is well written. It has excellent character development. It has a superior story line with great plot twists and turns. Reading this novel, I connected well with the characters and as it is set in the near future, it seemed very possible and real. Oxygen is just superb. As the general review states the story is about the first manned mission to Mars. The crew is four, two men and two women. The characters are very realistic and believable, encluding motivations, traits and complex personalities. Please try out this novel, I did and I am very thankful. It far surpassed my expectations, and it truly is one of the best novels I have ever read.