The Tenth Planet (Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Dean Wesley Smith (Author), Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Author), Christopher Weaver (Author), Rand Marlis (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tenth Planet | Publication Date: May 29, 1999

2017: NEAR THE PLANET URANUS

After a deep-space satellite mysteriously stops transmitting, the Hubble III telescope picks up a startling image. Astronomers don't know what the strange object is--only that it orbits past Earth every two millennia.

Meanwhile, archaeologist Leo Cross has discovered peculiar layers of black residue at dig sites around the globe. Stranger still, these thin bands occur like clockwork every 2,006 years, coinciding with some of the world's darkest moments in history.

We have six months to prepare for the next arrival. This time we know something is coming. This time we have weapons to defend us.

This time we'll be wrong . . . again.

A science fiction saga set on near-future Earth, THE TENTH PLANET challenges our basic beliefs about the solar system and ultimately our place in the universe. With cutting-edge astronomy, blockbuster action, and high drama, the mystery is revealed in a trilogy of adventures.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

2017: NEAR THE PLANET URANUS

After a deep-space satellite mysteriously stops transmitting, the Hubble III telescope picks up a startling image. Astronomers don't know what the strange object is--only that it orbits past Earth every two millennia.

Meanwhile, archaeologist Leo Cross has discovered peculiar layers of black residue at dig sites around the globe. Stranger still, these thin bands occur like clockwork every 2,006 years, coinciding with some of the world's darkest moments in history.

We have six months to prepare for the next arrival. This time we know something is coming. This time we have weapons to defend us.

This time we'll be wrong . . . again.

A science fiction saga set on near-future Earth, THE TENTH PLANET challenges our basic beliefs about the solar system and ultimately our place in the universe. With cutting-edge astronomy, blockbuster action, and high drama, the mystery is revealed in a trilogy of adventures.

About the Author

Dean Wesley Smith was a founder of the well-respected small press Pulphouse. He has written a number of novels--both his own and as tie-in projects--including Laying the Music to Rest and X-Men: The Jewels of Cyttorak.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is the Hugo and World Fantasy Award-winning former editor of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. She turned to writing full-time two years ago. She, too, has written a number of original and tie-in novels, including the Fey series and Star Wars: The New Rebellion.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (May 29, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034542140X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345421401
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,544,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dean Wesley Smith is the bestselling author of over ninety novels and hundreds of short stories. He has written under many names, including Sandy Schofield, Kathryn Wesley, Dean Edwards, D.W. Smith and others. He has written dozens of novels in popular worlds, including Star Trek, Men in Black, Spider-Man, X-Men, and many gaming universes.

He was also the publisher and editor of Pulphouse Publishing and for ten years edited Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

You can find many of his short stories in Kindle editions, with more becoming available each week.

For even more information, and to follow current projects, he can be found at htp://www.deanwesleysmith.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prepare for the rocket ride of you life with Tenth Planet, October 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tenth Planet (Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Before you sit down to read this novel, it should have a brown seal that states, "Warning! You will not be able to put it down." That is exactly what happened to me.

Expecting another of Dean Wesley Smith's outstanding novels filled with good solidly human characters complete with flaws and humor, I was more than rewarded by The Tenth Planet. Picking up the novel I immediately became lost in the characters and the incredible plot that develops naturally right before your entranced eyes.

The novel, set in the near future of Earth places of all things an archaeologist as the hero who steps forward to prepared mankind for its greatest challenge every. Along the way his terrifying discovery explains much of the major mysteries of our world, such as extinction events, disappearing cultures, and a very odd layer of black soot around the planet.

The story develops into a race to save mankind, and along the way we experience the best and the worst that man is capable of. Something Smith does so well when he tells a story, especially one as epic as this.

Believe me this novel leaves you wanting much more, and unable to wait for the second novel in this trilogy in the making!

If you love good suspense and science fiction rolled into one, this book is a definite!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great novel with obvious reservations, October 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tenth Planet (Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Just like everyone else I am disappointed by the obvious economic partioning of what could be a pseudo-classic SF novel. In this case more is less. Almost like the publisher took the finished novel from the authors, took the first third of the book, asked the authors to put 100 more pages in that section and then published it. Fortunately the authors were great in creating a constant build in suspense, but the build was far too long for my tastes. Wouldn't recommend buying until the sequels are out so you can read them all at once, since it isn't really a complete novel as is. Also has a semi-done plot, but great new twists without too much technical jargon. But what SF reader doesn't like technical jargon? If it had been published as a single novel it would have probably been superior to both "Footfall" and "Independence Day", but the added filler makes it probably a close 3rd. Tough to put down, easy to read. Definately a must have when the sequels are finished.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 10th Planet is a real 10 in my book!, August 25, 2000

By 

Brian Pettera (Woodstock, Il. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tenth Planet (Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I was riveted! This is a beautiful melding of science fiction and archeology. Who would ever of thought that you could link nano-technology and cultural archeology into one riveting story. This is a must read for you end of the world fans. Kudos to Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch! I can't wait for the sequel.