Rating: 
Summary: The Best Written Bad Book I've Ever Read
Review: What an agonizing disappointment this book was for me. Ben Bova is an amazing author with great talent. The book instantly caught my interest and kept it rock solid till the end, when I wanted to throw it out the window. It's an adventure novel without any of the satisfaction I get out of most Sci-Fi books. If you looking to explore alien "ideas", "culture", and "technology" don't read this book. Bova has so many unexplored thoughts I wanted to cry. So good yet soooo bad.
Rating: 
Summary: I thought I'd never say this about a Ben Bova book, but WOW!
Review: Yes, I've been forced to change my tone about the author of Jupiter because of this book. Normally, I spend my time rolling my eyes and groaning in disgust at the blatant chauvinism and unending technobabble of previous novels by Ben Bova. I'm a big Sci-fi fan, and no matter what everyone says, his books are formulaic by all standards. HOWEVER... Jupiter is another story. I often call reading a new book by Ben Bova punishment, but this time I had to eat my words. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I thought it was the sort of sci-fi that I think should be done more often, where the reader is left with thoughts and questions and where their imaginations are challenged. Without spoiling it, (although as I read through several of the other reviews, I shouldn't be too concerned about that since they've already spoiled part of it), I must state that my favourite character in this book, is Leviathan. I believe this story is a wonderful dance of two EXTREMELY DIFFERENT characters with almost everything else in common, a sense of wonder, exploration, defiance of rules, and most important, an insatiable curiosity and goodness. As my friend said who also read this book... unlike most other alien encounter tales, this one allows for mutual ignorance and misunderstanding between human and alien, yet have a positive and fruitful encounter, without overdoing the whole 'first contact' concept, which is often indeed abused by other authors. Ben Bova -- My personal message to you is, KEEP THIS UP. I loved Sheena, the dolphins, Dr. Wo, the whole thing from beginning to end, and you even gave the whole chauvinistic thing a bit of a rest (even tho occasional yet acceptable levels of it appeared on occasion to remind us this was indeed Ben Bova writing this novel)! To other readers: His previous fans might find this book annoying, which is fine. To anyone else who may enjoy a flight of imagination, read Jupiter.
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