Polaris (Alex Benedict #2) by Jack McDevitt

[gilda_elise]

The national best-selling author brings back the daring Alex Benedict from A Talent for War and thrusts him into a far-future tale of mystery and suspense.

Sixty years ago, the space yacht Polaris was found deserted, the fate of its pilot and passengers a mystery. Now, to mark the anniversary of the disappearance, there is to be an auction of what was left behind on the ship.

Using his insider knowledge, Alex Benedict, one of the preeminent antiquities dealers in the galaxy, secures some of the artifacts. But then an explosion destroys most of the collection, convincing Alex that drastic measures are being taken to hide what happened aboard the Polaris - which is why that's exactly what he has to find out, especially if it means risking his life.

I’m not a mystery fan, but McDevitt may just turn me into one with his Alex Benedict series. Just as its predecessor, I found this book both entertaining and informative, because I am a hard science fiction fan and this book fits squarely in that category. I wasn’t crazy about the book being in the first person. While the first book was, too, it didn’t seem to work as well with Chase, Alex’s sidekick, being the one telling the story.

While there’s the mystery of the lost passengers of the ill-fated Polaris, there’s also lots of scientific theory and details to make a sci-fi fan happy.

My only problem, and it’s a small one, is with Chase’s propensity to be sidetracked by her attraction to men. Okay, we get it, they find you attractive. Get over it. Maybe McDevitt should stick with having the male character tell the story.




Mount TBR 2021 Book Links

Links are to more information regarding each book or author, not to the review.

1. The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History
2. Polaris


There's been a change. The Storygraft website was sort of wonky, and the challenge I had joined wasn't really much of one. But since I already post to Goodreads, I joined their challenge. 60 books...I hope.



Plus, our local library started up their winter challenge, "Let It Snow."





Another change! Book Bingo is back, if only in a smaller form.

Comments

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

I keep meaning to, and keep forgetting to, say thank you for your lists and reviews of books. They're a brilliant guide to what I might enjoy reading, and the things I need to avoid!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I enjoy writing the review, so it's always great to hear that someone is getting something good out of them. I hope I haven't steered you wrong!

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you are enjoying the series, even though you have a few quibbles.

I do like your local library's snowman 'card'. Very cute. Have fun with the challenge.

I'm sure you've seen it, but apparently Book Bingo is going to do some mini Bingo card things from time to time. The first one is up. https://ljbookbingo.livejournal.com/47169.html

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

The library does a good job of keeping its patrons interested, especially now when we can't go in.

I hadn't seen the post yet, so thanks for the heads-up. As you can see, I've already added it to the line-up. :-)

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Which is a very good thing.

You are welcome. So I see *g* I probably won't do it as there are too many genres I'm really not interested in reading. That said, I am still giving it some thought.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I may not end up filling it; it all depends on what books I happen to be reading. If I don't have a certain genre I won't go out and buy or borrow one.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Ah, right. Now that's a possible option. I shall ponder maybe doing it after all.

Lovely icon, BTW.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

It's not an official challenge, since the moderators decided not to do the Book Bingo this year. It's just something they put up to keep people interested in the group.

Thanks, I like it. :-) Can never have too many book icons, though.

[aeris444.livejournal.com]

[ariss-tenoh.livejournal.com]

The let it snow art is so cute! Is that a Yeti?

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is, with his trusty jackaloupe. :-) They're pretty much standard, year to year. Here's last year's.

[ariss-tenoh.livejournal.com]

I had to google jackaloupe! XD interesting creature.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Being from the West, I'd heard about them. I know it's made up, but people tended to talk about them as if they were real. Like the Yeti. :-)

[tinny]

My only problem, and it’s a small one, is with Chase’s propensity to be sidetracked by her attraction to men. Okay, we get it, they find you attractive. Get over it. Maybe McDevitt should stick with having the male character tell the story.

Oh god. /o\ I love me a good hard scifi book, but nope. :/

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I normally love his books, but I felt this one didn't quite meet up to his standards.