Freefall [Mass Market Paperback]

I work in Mission Control Houston and had the chance to read an advance copy of "Freefall". It is true to the fast paced action style of the Reeves-Stevens, and creates a believable scenario in which the race to the moon still has secrets to bare. As any great adventure story must do, "Freefall" blends fact and fiction to convey to the reader a thought provoking premise of what might actually be true. They pull together actual events from the past and present space programs, including US civilian and military as well as Soviet Union, and mix in a large amount of speculation and action that keeps you reading to the last page. The version I read was still being updated to correct concepts intended to portray current operations at NASA, but even in that form it was a gripping and entertaining read from start to finish. It features some familiar characters from some of their past action novels and stays true to the fast paced and well written style we have become accustomed to from the Reeves-Stevens. I am very much looking forward to reading the final version when it is released.

I MUST admit, there is one major thing I have against Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens': They WRITE TOO SLOW. Other than that, what can I say? Taking techno-thrillers to the next level is exactly what this phenomenal writing duo has done with all three of their novels to date (including Quicksilver and Freefall). What they previously had done for Star Trek, they now do in a completely different arena. NORMALLY if I like a Fantasy or Sci Fi book by an author, and one day I see their name on a novel that is written in anything other than the Sci Fi genre, I tend to shy away. Sure, this isn't necessarily fair, but from the vast majority of authors I have read who have taken such bold steps, very few have succeeded. In this case, it isn't so much success as it is an absolute triumph.

Capturing your attention immediately is something the authors do rather well, and with Freefall they do so again. Captain Mitchell Webber is literally freefalling into a man-made lake in China on a covert mission to capture information on airplanes, but quickly discovers luner landing craft instead of what he was expecting...and even worse, he suspects that those who sent him knew all along what they were going to find.

The next scene delivers us into orbit (literally) as the International Space Station is visited by a NASA shuttle, when all Hell breaks loose. Before you know it, lives are lost, the ISS is crippled and NASA has lost yet another shuttle. The startling questions that begin to arise as a result of this tragic accident are coming into focus with inescapable clarity: Someone has committed sabotage. What are they looking for? What were they willing to kill over? The answers are quite surprising...and VERY entertaining.

The United States Space Force has been around for many years, but unfortunately, only a very select few know about their existence, and even fewer realize that after NASA scrapped going to the Moon after Apollo 17, the USSF continued to go. I don't wish to spoil some genuine surprises along the way, but just keep in mind the authors keep you out of the loop until the bitter end as to the big question you continue to think as more and more information becomes unveiled: WHY? I think I was little more than half-way through before I realized one very interesting thing about Freefall: I didn't want it to end. I believe that is the biggest compliment I could ever pay any author, and I don't dole out comments like that easily. It has been a very long time since I read anything which made me think this way.

I must say one more thing: as I read this book, I HAD to notice several similar themed events which happened in a novel called, 'Red Moon' by David S. Michaels. That book, which is one of my all-time favorites, asks an interesting question which covers some similar ground, What IF the Russians actually made it to the Moon FIRST? IF they did, why on earth would they keep it a secret? An absolutely stunning novel that you should search out and read especially if you enjoyed Freefall. Though both novels are similar in certain respects, they are quite different in overall concept. I just found a small portion to remind me of another book that I just couldn't put down, in fact 'Red Moon' was probably the last novel before 'Freefall' that I read which made me wish it wouldn't end.

Kudos AGAIN to this writing team. You guys are AWESOME!! Now go out and write FASTER!!!!!

Like the earlier "Icefire" this novel is truly one that you can''t put down. Several of the "Icefire" characters return to unravel a deadly conspiracy involving NASA and the USAF. The plot will thrill the space race non-believers. The space station action is exceptionally thrilling and the suspense builds as the characters try to uncover a sinister plot to maintain the status quo of the space race between Russia and the United States. The action moves along quite nicely and there are no lags in the plot at all.

Like "Icefire", the book can get a little technical and uses quite a few acronyms but it does not detract from the story. It is really quite fascinating to learn more about space travel and how dangerous it can be. Well worth the read.