Deorbit The Space Shuttle: Stem Cell Rescue

Rating:
Summary: Action and education with a heart
Review: I found Deorbit to be not only entertaining but very educational as well. Both the story line and characters have been well planned, and developed. There has obviously been much research on so many issues! I felt the author did a superb job depicting how difficult cancer treatment is on the patients, and moves me to want to participate in an effort to legalize marijuana to ease their suffering. It was fascinating to see how many subjects were carfully woven into the fibers of this story. Other authors would not have been able to handle so many details in one story without losing the reader. Mr. Mavis was able to keep my attention from the first page to the last. I would certainly recommend this book, and eagerly await another.

Rating:
Summary: A most memorable story!
Review: It's easy to see that the US government and the established energy industries would not take kindly to private development of inxpensive alternative fuel, but it had not occurred to me that the medical establishment would not welcome a cure for cancer! I loved the convoluted plot combined with an exciting, suspense-filled ride.

Rating:
Summary: Action filled
Review: Mr. Mavis' book is a delightful read, reminding me of the golden age of science fiction. I really enjoyed it. It has lots of non-stop action with a new peril around every corner. And the ending suggests there might be a sequel. I hope so, because I can't wait to read it.

Rating:
Summary: This book is both timely and exciting!
Review: Neil Mavis has written an exciting story on a timely subject. With stem cell research breaking new ground almost daily, including experiments in zero gravity, the author treats the sometimes controversial subject with compassion and forethought. Details in the book make it clear he's done his homework. Although the novel purports to be about the future, the reader comes away believing we are much closer to tomorrow than we thought.
Couple all that with a well-paced, heart-thumping, clock-is-ticking story line, and you have a winner. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in space, modern medicine, or just a good read.

Rating:
Summary: For Tom Clancy fans interested in space
Review: The elements of a fine first novel by Mr. Mavis: 1) A space shuttle hit by an asteriod, 2)the "hero" - an outsider who has a risky, daring solution when NASA runs out of options - is a former lover of one scientists on the shuttle, and 3) the knowledge that one of experiments on the shuttle could save the hero's mother from her cancer.

There were almost too many twists and turn, too much suspense for one book to hold. In the end, however, a satisfying resolution with just the hint of what may come if Mavis decides to write a sequel. All of the twists have the feel of reality, showing how much the author has researched the subject and thought through his "disaster" scenerio.

Suspense with extra caffine added.

Rating:
Summary: on the cutting edge of one hour into the future
Review: This is very well paced science fiction with that hard grounding in reality. Neil Mavis has written a very enjoyable and thought-provoking read. We forget how precarious man is in space; this book reminds you. He's crafted a plot around a vulnerable spot in the engineering of the craft. Official diagrams are included to help the non-engineer wrap their mind around both the problem and the action in space.
Subplots bring in medical marijuana, the treatment of cancer patients and the closing promise of stem-cell research; instances when political concerns are over-riding scientific and even ethical ones. All these disparate threads are woven into a whole cloth. The action is written at so lively a pace I could barely read fast enough to find out what happened next. Exciting!
Good writing makes you believe the characters as real folks in a 3D world. I began to find the characters possible future actions very much on my mind. I hope Mr. Mavis writes a sequel so I can see what these friends have been up to.

Rating:
Summary: "Apollo 13" Meets "The Rocketeer"
Review: This sci-fi romp reads like an action movie looks and sounds. The kind of book you open to read "a little" to suss the lay of the land and wind up taking the whole trip. Suspend your disbelief and come on along for the ride!