First
by Randy Brown
Genre: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9798350913958
Print Length: 446 pages
Reviewed by Kathy L. Brown
In the gripping, high-stakes novel, an elite cadre of astronauts vie to be the first human to explore the Proxima Centauri star system.
Randy Brown’s First describes a new era of space exploration through the initial group of SpaceFirst astronauts’ experiences. In this near-future story, the space race is between two American tech companies, SpaceFirst and Deep Sky. Using two competing means of interplanetary and interstellar travel, their billionaire-genius owners aim to be first: Destination—Proxima Centauri. First in the history books, but more importantly, first in innovation.
Yet the story focuses on the humans, the astronauts and their support staff, who must make the big dreams happen. Told from the point of view of Lewis, an engineer-turned astronaut, the training is tough, but the camaraderie high. At least for a while. But the initial successes are sadly tempered by deadly problems and elusive glitches. Tempers flare and tensions rise as the possibility of sabotage can no longer be ignored.
The stakes are high throughout the book. No matter their regard for each other, Lewis and each of his fellow astronauts desperately want to be the first human to venture outside our solar system. For the two competing space exploration ventures, coming in second isn’t an option. The technology—electromagnetic versus quantum fields—used by the first human traveler to and from Proxima Centauri will set the standard for the future. The pressures on everyone are enormous.
The public relations game is almost as important for the competing companies as the science is. For example, destination choices for the trial missions often revolve around what would yield the catchiest sound bites. Marie and Jackie, the astronauts’ trainers, explain the selection of the first target planet. “Our initial choice was between Venus and Mars since they’re the closest planets to Earth…We considered Venus but finally decided on Mars. Jackie, do you want to tell them why we chose Mars?” “It’s sexier.” “Correct. It captures people’s imagination in a way Venus doesn’t…People are still obsessed with it even after all the videos and pictures we’ve seen. In other words, it’s a great PR win for us.”
The characters are well-rounded with unique voices and backstories. Interestingly, each of the five astronauts has an artificial intelligence companion accessed through a neural interface. A personal assistant, an always-available friend, and a supercomputer, each AI has a unique personality and their own hopes and dreams. These AI characters have important roles in the story. The relationships among these central characters give the book great depth as an interpersonal relationship study of people under enormous stress.
As the story progresses, Lewis has an important mystery to solve. The solution has a satisfying twist to it that I didn’t see coming. Well played!
First’s wordsmithing is clear and precise, yet down-to-earth. The voice expresses what we know of our narrator, Lewis, such as his personality and background. When his astronaut-crush, Eve, drops by as he’s preparing for a mission, he switches from problem-solving mode to self-deprecation on a dime. “Not that I wanted to find something wrong, but if we’d seen any hint of a glitch that could explain Drone B’s demise, I’d be happier. Well, maybe not happy, but at least I’d have something to go off and fix before I made my journey…Eve lifted herself gracefully through the entryway and smiled at me. She smelled like spring flowers and I probably smelled like a guy who’d been walking in circles around his ship for an hour and sweating the whole time.”
As a science fiction book, worldbuilding details are important. The book gives just enough information for plausibility without getting too far in the weeds. The technology is essential to the plot and nicely balances the dangers the astronauts face with the “gee-whiz” excitement of the space race. Despite the challenges and hardship, the story has an overall hopeful, uplifting tone.
Pacing is steady, and it’s easy to appreciate the reflective moments, especially the opportunities to see Lewis in his home environment. But the book handles increasingly ominous danger and escalating stakes with precision and finesse.
Readers who enjoyed stories about the early days of space exploration will relish taking this journey into a future where smart, brave people risk lives and fortunes to advance human knowledge. It would be a fun book club selection.
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