Customer Reviews

The Proof (Mars Hill Classified, Book 2)

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`The Proof,' Austin Boyd's second novel, is a great read!! It is a follow up to `The Evidence,' and is the second installment of what will be a trilogy. Wow, what a wild ride--it works in a lot of the kinds things you want to find in a good high-tech thriller and then some...Terrorist Attacks, Deep Conspiracy, Super-Clandestine Ops, Aliens, Space Travel, Life on Mars, Cloning, and much more. Compared to the first installment, Boyd seems to be coming into his own with this second book in that things tie together better (though it really helps to have read the first book). Pacing and flow are nice, along with the kind of page-turning set-ups that make you read on even though it's way past bed-time.

The narrative is well-structured, and the characters are developed properly with a good level of complexity as opposed to one-dimensional ones that end up being boring in the end (as is often the case in other thrillers). As a reader you get to have your suspicions with a sense of what lies ahead and behind it all as you try to figure things out in the unfolding of the story. In the end however, as it should be, things are not always what they seem and as you finish up the book you can't wait for the final installment, which will hopefully be out soon.

One of the really extraordinary aspects of `The Proof' is how Boyd is effectively able to weave a religious dimension into this hard-hitting techno thriller. The main character, astronaut, interplanetary traveler, and deep space assistant to the federal agent trying to unravel the terrorist conspiracy, has deeply held Christian beliefs. He often reflects and analyzes from this religious vantage point to help him make important decisions, and calls upon his deep faith get him through difficult and trying times (emotionally and physically). I very much like the way Boyd works in the character's belief system as a substantive guiding force for how he is to behave in the world, make sense of it, find strength, overcome obstacles, etc.. Thus, Boyd is able to portray quite effectively how a serious and profound Christian world view can not only co-exist, but be an integral and foundational element for negotiating one's life in today's very sophisticated and complex high-tech world. That's what makes `The Proof' truly unique and original!

It was in new condition and arrived before it was expected to get to me. I am very pleased.

The journey to Mars continues for John Wells and the crew of Epsilon. With a successful launch completed, the three person crew has an 18 month trip to the red planet and back ahead of them. Can they endure the stress and loneliness of 18 months without loved ones? While they are gone, Earth will once again be tested by alien visitors and questionable religious ideas. Are the spiders truly aliens? Is there an unknowable god and is Malcolm Raines his prophet? Who are the mother seed? What about Nick? Will Amy recognize her place in this saga and the have the courage to persevere? Lots of questions and lots revealed in this wonderful follow up to The Evidence.

The Proof is most enjoyable. Boyd did an excellent job of building on the plot laid out in The Evidence. Areas that were weak in the first book were really tightened up, which brought the characters to life. The story flowed smoothly, especially the last half, which held more twists and turns than I ever expected. Many of my original theories were confirmed, but there were several unexpected events. It was obvious in The Evidence Boyd has a talent for telling stories, but it really shined in The Proof. His personal experience, has really made a story that could have been far fetched and unrealistic, completely believable. A very good book, and well deserving of the praise it has received.

In my review of "The Evidence," I expressed disappointment in that the book, while exciting, could not stand alone. None of the major plot lines was resolved; the book simply ended with no conclusion of any sort. It seemed as though the second book could merely be appended to the end of the first, and nothing would be lost.

The second book in the series, "The Proof," addresses these problems perfectly. Many of the plot points in the book are resolved adequately, and Boyd still manages to leave some bigger questions open for the third installment. Importantly for the author, it left me feeling satisfied as a reader, and yet eager to read the next book to find the answers to these larger questions left open at the end of "The Proof."

The plot is interesting to any fan of largely realistic science fiction. Boyd's military and NASA background provides for as realistic a picture as possible of what space flight to Mars might really be like, and provides some reasonably realistic situations that happen to the main characters along the way. Additionally, he delves into the human side of such a mission, particularly the psychological effects of such intense periods of isolation, for Christians and non-Christians alike, as well as creating believable situations for his family back on Earth.

Lastly, he manages to present many points of Christian faith in such a way as to not alienate non-believers, as so many works of Christian fiction can be prone to do. John's faith is plainly visible to those around him, but Boyd chooses to have John lead by example rather than by forcing words on others, and explores both his strengths and weaknesses a believer.

Excellent page turner! This second in the series of three "Mars Hill Classified" is as good the the first and picks up where THE EVIDENCE left off.

Thrilling story line, great character development, realistic human emotions and yet with a Christian message that is not pushy, overly righteous or intrustive. God is real while the story line is pure fiction but in a way that leaves the reader saying, "wow--this could really happen."

Many twists and turns that keep the reader tuned.

Austin Boyd reminds me of Dan Brown as a story teller, but better. Brown's fiction it too perfect. This is genuine, human. Boyd's technical detail also reminds me of Brown. He knows his stuff and it shows.