Summary: Thalassa is an alien planet populated by humans with an embryonic seed pod, sent out from Earth in a last attempt to continue the human race’s existence before the Earth is destroyed. Thalassa has been thriving for many years, and the marine biologist Mirissa, her partner Brant and other friends and family live peacefully on a world that is mainly covered by ocean.
Their peaceful existence comes to an end with the appearance of the Magellan, a spaceship from Earth containing one million colonists who have been put into cryonic suspension. This was made possible through the discovery of a Quantum drive, and the Magellan was put together in the last days before Earth was consumed by the Sun’s supernova.
Now the Thalassans and the humans from old Earth must learn to survive together. At the same time, the humans discover a seemingly sentient species that evolved in Thalassa’s oceans.
[Awkward summary is really the plot summary from Wikipedia, with major edits and de-spoilering by myself]
Commentary: This is the first novel I’ve read by Arthur C. Clarke, one of the most famous Science Fiction writers ever. I really liked Songs of Distant Earth.
Clarke’s writing is simple (in a good, succinct, enjoyable way) and he gets the point across quickly and effectively. He also explains scientific concepts very clearly and keeps the action moving. I can’t say much about the romance he includes in this novel, or the characters themselves, who aren’t very developed I don’t think.
I will be reading more of Clarke’s work in the future and this was a great introduction.
Shelf Worn 