SYMMETRY

In this futuristic SF novel, the appearance of a strange object in space could doom humanity.

It’s the 22nd century, and Earth has mastered space travel throughout the galaxy. While studying the stars, some astronomers discovered a bizarre phenomenon beyond the solar system; at first, they’re unsure if it’s natural or if it’s alien technology. Two months later, Seven Oceans, a spaceship orbiting Mars, gets an update about a new mission: The crew is to travel to what’s now being called the “Big Marble” and study it. They’re joined by scientists who’ve been puzzling over the object for months. Just in case they need to destroy what they find, the Seven Oceans is also fitted with different types of bombs. The closer they get to the Big Marble, and the more information they gain, the less it all makes sense. As the ship approaches the object, the crew receives an outside voice transmission from one of their own crew members, Auria Sadler, saying Seven Oceans has been destroyed and she’s the sole survivor. The most confusing part? Auria is standing on the bridge of Seven Oceans when the message comes in. It seems the Big Marble is actually “a crack” between two identical universes. As soon as the crew of the Seven Oceans learns about its mirror version’s fate—and communicate with people on it—they discover just how powerful, and deadly, the effects of the Big Marble really are. Lamp presents readers with a futuristic tale that’s heavy on the science and theoretical physics, as when characters ponder the implications of an object that has only one dimension; the book even features occasional diagrams and photos. But Lamp also tells a story that’s a roller-coaster ride, particularly for two major characters with a unique bond; they risk not only their own lives but those of the rest of humanity as well. The author’s take on the concept of symmetry between two universes is often captivating.

A speculative work that’s sure to thrill hard-SF fans.