Rating: 
Summary: I was gravely disappointed. . .
Review: . . .with this shallow, unbelievable novel.Ben Bova has, over the years, provided the Science Fiction reader with solid "hard-science" fiction novels, set in the near future, exploring technological ideas which are reasonable. Although character development has never been his strong suit, this has not, to my mind, been a significant detraction. Until now. In this novel, Bova's reliance on science is far weaker than in his novels dealing with Mars or the Moon -- and bases his plot around a totally unsympathetic, whining, spoiled brat of a pseudo-scientist who travels to Venus in order to prove to his equally unpleasant father that he is, in fact, a man. Along the way, we are treated to some truly pathetic episodes drawn from soap opera plots and the worst that pulp science fiction has to offer. The sulfer-based bacteria creatures in the atmosphere was believable -- but the molten-lead eating tentacled monster? Come on, Mr. Bova! You can -- and have -- done better than this. All in all, a huge disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Good physics; bad medicine
Review: A little medical research would have made VENUS into a fine SF novel, rather than the mediocre one it is. The protagonist, Van Humphries, begins as a sickly dilettante with little dedication to anything beyond the preservation of his wellborn lifestyle. His development into a responsible, even noble man is the main point of the book, and the process of that development is nicely handled. The problem with the setup is that Van (we are told) has "pernicious anemia" that resulted from his mother's drug use while pregnant with him. As a remedy, he requires daily "enzyme" injections. His decline within a few days of being separated from his medicine is an all-important plot device, and the story can go nowhere without it. Well, the whole concept is preposterous to anyone with a collegiate-level understanding of blood disease. In fact, pernicious anemia is not caused by maternal factors of any kind; it requires no daily injections (only monthly B12 shots); and, enzymes have nothing to do with it. Even if treatment is stopped abruptly, it requires months to years, not days, to cause any deterioration of physical or mental function. Bova could have established this through a 30-minute conversation with any doctor, nurse, or medical technologist. This is just plain laziness on the parts of the author and the editor. If you can get beyond the enormity of the medical aspects of the story, the physical science angle is carried in excellent Bova fashion. What would it be like on a planet where the surface glows dully at 740 Kelvins and the atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide pumped up to over 90 atmospheres of pressure? How would one even think to visit such a place and survive to return home? The author paints a vivid picture in answering these questions. Character development is uneven. Vann and his prime rival, Lars Fuchs, are well done, but the major female character is a bit cardboardish. For Lars Fuchs and his space ship, Bova borrows heavily from 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. Just substitute the thick Venusian atmosphere for Verne's undersea world, and there is near point-to-point correspondence between the two stories. This is not to detract from Bova, though; it was really a good idea to do it this way. VENUS is a short book, and, with its action-filled linear story narrated by the protagonist, it's a fast read. I recommend it as light vacation fare. It will certainly make you appreciate the beautiful earth as you lie there on the beach, and you may come away with a little more concern about the greenhouse effect here at home.
Rating:
Summary: Bit of a disappointment
Review: After reading Mars, Venus felt like a letdown. Felt like I was reading Jack London's SEA WOLF mixed with a Lester Del Rey SF novel meant for young teens. The two just don't mix well.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Bova Hero Tale
Review: Ben Bova has made a career of writing stories about the unexpected hero. In Venus, he delivers again. Van Humphries is the runt of the family, at least so says his father Martin Humphries the mogul industrialist. And, he is somewhat right; Van has a particularly potent form of anemia that requires injections at least a couple of times a day. He plays at being a scientist while his older brother, Alex, is off in space exporing the unexplored. Plus, his father blames hime for killing his mother during child berth. At the beginning of the tale, we join Van reluctantly attending his father's 100th birthday party on the moon where he learns that his allowance so to speak (a stipend for his scientific endeavors) is being cut-off so his father can use the money to help pay for 10 billion dollar reward to entice someone to go to Venus, where Van's older brother died 3 years previous while trying to explore the planet, to recover Alex's remains. Van misses his brother greatly and decides to take up his father's challange. And, the tale begins. Van must overcome his own self-doubt, his debilitating ailment and a ruthless cometitor for the prize money... Lars Fuchs, the once competitor to Martin Humphries. Fuchs was ruined financially but Humphries, then Martin Humphries stole his wife... who eventually became Van's mother. Though lighter on details such as how the ships operate than some similar hard SF, Bova always spins a good yarn. Venus was an entertaining read from start to finish as we watch Van Humphries struggle with who he is at his core.
Rating:
Summary: 4 Bova Blast Furnaces
Review: Ben Bova is one of science fiction's best known authors and editors. He is not a great writer but he can deliver entertaining stories. Venus is a light read and an entertaining story but not one that will stand the test of time. Venus features a character named Van Humphries who accepts his father's challenge to travel to Venus and recover his brother's dead body. At stake are $10 billion and his father's respect. Humphries must face a number of challenges along the way including the hostile Venusian conditions, a competing expedition and his own weaknesses. If this sounds familiar, it is. However, the possibilities involved in landing an expedition on Venus which is the hellhole of the solar system are too tempting to ignore. Venus is a very readable book and the familiarity and predictability of the plot only add to its charm. I was particularly entertained by his descriptions of the Venusian climate, the wind conditions, the intense heat and the great pressure. Just when I was getting annoyed at the lack of explanation of the ship's modus operandi, Bova began to explain heat exchangers. Still there wasn't very much depth in the explanation. I expect that thermodynamics is not Bova's specialty. All in all, Venus is nice light read although I would save it for a cold winter night when the description of the heat might be really appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: Character driven story
Review: Ben Bova's "Venus" is a fairly good story. I was a little turned off at first because it is written in first person, which I am not a big fan of and hadn't read a first person novel in a really long time. However, about halfway through the book, I realized the importance of the first person point of few when other strong characters were introduced. This is less a science fiction story and more a character journey in a scientific world. If you are looking for hard core scientific observations and manipulations I recommend other stories, such as Kim Stanley Robinson's "Red Mars." However, there is a lot of speculative science fiction the Bova introduces on the interior of the Venusian world, which is interesting and facinating. It does take a while for this book to really grasp you, but none-the-less it is worth the read if you are a Bova fan, or interested in our solar system. It is great the way Bova has researched the real world of venus, and then put in his own fantasy elements based on possibilities. To sum up, this is a first person book that is driven by the characters. It is more the characters coming to realization of who and what they are and them trying to overcome their weaknesses while completing their objectives than hard core science. My favorite character is definately Fuchs.
Rating:
Summary: Character driven story
Review: Ben Bova's "Venus" is a fairly good story. I was a little turned off at first because it is written in first person, which I am not a big fan of and hadn't read a first person novel in a really long time. However, about halfway through the book, I realized the importance of the first person point of few when other strong characters were introduced. This is less a science fiction story and more a character journey in a scientific world. If you are looking for hard core scientific observations and manipulations I recommend other stories, such as Kim Stanley Robinson's "Red Mars." However, there is a lot of speculative science fiction the Bova introduces on the interior of the Venusian world, which is interesting and facinating. It does take a while for this book to really grasp you, but none-the-less it is worth the read if you are a Bova fan, or interested in our solar system. It is great the way Bova has researched the real world of venus, and then put in his own fantasy elements based on possibilities. To sum up, this is a first person book that is driven by the characters. It is more the characters coming to realization of who and what they are and them trying to overcome their weaknesses while completing their objectives than hard core science. My favorite character is definately Fuchs.
Rating:
Summary: Yet another "Hero's Journey"?
Review: Ben Bova's novels are workmanlike and usually worth reading. He knows the tricks of the novel-writing trade and manages to make the science seem at least plausible, if not strictly accurate. But you have to wonder if he and other science-fiction writers can do better than retell the "Hero's Journey" over and over again to adolescent male readers (who form the bulk of SF readership), especially the variation about the angry young man who discovers his true paternity. ("Oh, so that jerk who claimed to be my father was lying to me all along!" Is that a common male fantasy?) I'd like to see more science fiction aimed at "adults," as currently defined. What redeems this novel in my opinion is that Bova assumes that in the near future rejuvenation, radical life extension, cloning and revival from cryonic suspension all become successful and socially acceptable practices. This apparently reflects Bova's hopes for his personal future, since he published a nonfiction book titled _Immortality_ a couple years ago about the prospects for conquering aging and death. Unfortunately Bova hasn't thought through all the implications of this "immortalist" scenario, since his old, life-extended characters don't seem to have aged well in terms of judgment, emotional stability and what we call "wisdom." A society making such progress in conquering aging and death should likewise be making progress in improving people's mental health. Otherwise, if we get to the point where rejuvenated old people with such unhealthy grudges and obsessions ever attain a lot of irresponsible power, we are all likely to suffer from their folly. Nonetheless, Bova has figured out a lot of what I have long foreseen about the future, and I look forward to reading more of his new novels.
Rating: 
Summary: BEYOND excellent!!!!!!
Review: Bova is a genius! This novel combined scientific speculation, romantic tension, and good old-fashioned nail-biting adventure. The result is an unforgettable read. The main character is an unlikely hero who finds out he is made of tougher stuff than he realized. The settings are the cold blackness of outer space, as well as a planet that is rightly compared to Hell. There are villians, co-adventurers, and fascinating characters to beat the band. This book deserves 10 stars. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Bova is a master storyteller about planetary exploration! In this book Van Humphries is given a challenge by his rich father. The challenge is to go to Venus and recover the body of his dead brother who crashed during an earlier attempt to explore the planet. The prize is 10 billion dollars. Van, a type of playboy who is used to the fast pampered life-style of the wealthy is in danger of being cut off from his source of income so his father's prize is enough incentive to risk his life to maintain the type of life he is accustomed to or have to go get a job! Van is an anemic, who must have two injections a day or die. He is in a race to get to the deadly planet before a renegade asteriod minor (Fuchs) can get there and beat him to the prize. Venus turns out to be full of surprises and unthought of dangers. Van's ship is destroyed and he is rescued by Fuchs and put at his mercy. Additionally, Van's father had ruined Fuchs' life so Fuchs has a score to settle. The tension mounts as Van, deprived of his injections faces death from his disease, a mutinous crew, and a crazed Fuchs. Additionally, the terrors of Venus also loom. Bova does an excellent job presenting a science ficion thriller and presents a great deal of detail about Venus.
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