THE DOMAIN OF ARROGANCE

Debut author Grotsky presents an epic SF novel about humanity in trouble.

In this sprawling thriller, a potentially planet-obliterating comet approaches Earth. Some very wealthy people—preparing for just this kind of catastrophe— have built an escape colony of sorts on Phobos, one of Mars’ moons. And if Phobos needs, say, an expert in hydroponic growing techniques? The rich folk will simply kidnap one. This is exactly what happens to hydroponics engineer Janey Spadaro, who arrives on Phobos against her will. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Janey’s twin sister, Jenny, is an Arizona-based FBI agent with the Missing Persons division. After a near-fatal car crash, Jenny teams up with Dr. Marc Prentis, an archaeology professor. Naturally, the two receive a message from the Virgin Mary. Mary explains that there is hope to stop the comet, but they must first complete a difficult task involving an ancient artifact. This elaborate quest features an extensive cast that includes law enforcement agents, religious figures, and Hopi elders. The settings and subplots are many and varied, yet they all manage to fit together snugly. There is even room for a Christ/Antichrist subplot that spans the ages. Of course with so many moving parts, the story isn’t short, lengthened in part by bulky dialogue that often includes too much information. For instance, characters sometimes casually list their entire educational background (“I went to NYU and studied criminal justice. I got a law degree at Yale, but never practiced”), which feels both awkward and dull. Yet there are still multiple exciting developments to be mined throughout. And that comet’s trajectory maintains the level of tension. Even the Antichrist isn’t always confident about how things will play out.

An expansive, fun, but sometimes dawdling take on the classic planet-in-danger motif.