Another science fiction novel from prolific writer Ben Bova, this one largely on and around the planet Mercury. Saito Yamagata, who is back among the living after being in cryonic storage and subsequently cured of his former illness, has a dream, and the financing behind him, to build solar power satellites in orbit around Mercury and use their power to propel starships. However, the destruction of the Skytower years earlier on earth complicates things in a very dangerous and detrimental way for Yamagata. Things are not always as they appear to be. The biologist Victor Molina believes he has discovered evidence of past life on Mercury, and Bishop Elliot Danvers has been sent to Mercury by the "New Morality" to oversee their interests. A classic love triangle also complicates everything.

As I read this novel I began to realize that I could'nt anticipate the direction of the plot to any great extent, surprises abounded. Just when I thought I knew who the hero and villan was Bova turns everything upside down with new twists. I consider this book a definite page-turner, a very satisfying read of 'hard' science fiction, with an unconventional ending.

Unlike the character Mance Braknell, IE Alexios Dante, who is stuck on the inferno planet, Bova seems to be writing himself into purgatory. His writing is not so horrid that it should be sent to hell, but it is not deserving of paradise either. I would say that a reader would have to be a Bova fan in order to enjoy at least elements of this novel. I believe that Mance's rage was much too engulfing to seem as realistic since he is still so ridden with hatred years after his sky tower project is sabotaged. People change after years, despite the horrible things that may happen to them. In addition to this, the minister seemed a little too puritanical to be someone who could be fine with the notion of space flight and befriend two very progressive scientists ever so easily. I wished his character was a little more conflicting to give his personality depth.

Despite these flaws, I do believe that the ending was perfect. Both Mance and Yamagata got what they deserved to protect the future. Very Shakespearan for a SciFi novel.

Ben Bova trots out some very standard sci-fi devices in Mercury. With an appreciated nod to Arthur C. Clarke, we've got a sky-tower. We've got the whole, asteroids/outer planets as penal colonies going. Lots of global warming and climate change mixed in. All-in-all, it's hard to find an original bit in here.

Even less original is the overall theme, which isn't even really sci-fi. The Sci-fi elements just serve to prop up a very weak love triangle and revenge plot. The characters are shallow and one-dimensional. We know very little of the female love interest in the story who is worthy of such passion from two men that results in their ludicrous jealous and retaliatory behavior. The Japanese characters are bad stereotypes as is the main religious character and all the behavioral aspects attributed to religion and politics in the book.

So, why not a lower rating than 3 stars? Well, despite the overbearing anti-religious preachyness, the book doesn't take itself too seriously. Given that it's part of a series that seems determined to explore every planet, I didn't expect much from it and it basically delivered on that premise. It's also short and faced paced and any time dealing with less than stellar material, I'll upgrade the rating for something that at least gets over fast.

Generally, I don't read much series-based fiction any more. This is a good example why. It reads like the author or an assistant cranked this out in a few weeks, it's just another product in the series, not really intended to be high art.

Over the years I have read the 'Grand Tour'. I even looked forward to the next book. Then WOW - Hardback Science Fiction.
Why? This book does not deserve to be among the Grand Tour, I doubt Ben read this book much less wrote it.
With a ten year flash back a quarter the way in to tell a non interesting story to support an even worse story and
I am still trying to understand why it is titled 'Mercury'. No, stop the tour and get off.
An almost un-followable story line constantly tore my thought away toward what else I could have spent the
(hardback) money on.