Outward Bound

Rating:
Summary: Outward Bound Good Cyberpunk Book
Review: Outward Bound

Outward Bound is an excellent science fiction book for either the science fiction fan or anyone looking for a good novel. The book is a short read that seems to go by rather quickly, which is a first for a slow reader like myself. The chapters are fairly short, but make the book easier to follow. I was definitely surprised that the book kept my attention, I could hardly set the novel down.

Linc Marani is a troubled teen who wants nothing more than to live the fast life. He runs into problems with the law and is turned to an alternative boot camp for youth. There he faces the adversity of his new and mysterious life. He interacts with many characters and problems, such as Angelo, the buddy, and Arvin, the bully. Tension rises when Arvin and Linc continue to butt heads and neither are willing to back down. The central theme is whether Linc will be able to turn his meaningless life around into something that is worth more than anything on this planet.

This is an uplifting story that gives hope that there are better things out there, showing that hard work and self control can get you somewhere in life. The technology is a little hard to follow but gets the point across. I was intrigued throughout the novel, this is the best science fiction book I have read, and I would rate it above the well known novels such as Blade Runner, Snow Crash, and Shockwave Rider. James P. Hogan's Outward Bound is just an entertaining, feel good novel.

Rating:
Summary: Worth reading if you are looking for this type of book.
Review: This is a hard book for me to review. I am of an age to have read Heinlein and Asimov's juveniles when I was a teenager, although most of them I read as an adult. I read this book primarily because I am a big fan of James Hogan. I have not read any of the other Jupiter Novels, but I get the feeling from reading some of the descriptions and reviews on Amazon that there is a specific formula or "bible" that is set up for this series. That is not bad in and of itself, but I couldn't help but feel that Hogan was a bit constrained by this format. I remember the Heinlein juveniles as being a bit more free-wheeling. I would say that if you are an adult fan of Hogan, don't expect too much of this one. If you are a teenager and have enjoyed the other books in the Jupiter series, you will enjoy this one as well. It is a quick read, the characters are likeable, the science is realistic, and the changes in the main character and his friends as they come of age are believable.

Rating:
Summary: Worth reading if you are looking for this type of book.
Review: This is a hard book for me to review. I am of an age to have read Heinlein and Asimov's juveniles when I was a teenager, although most of them I read as an adult. I read this book primarily because I am a big fan of James Hogan. I have not read any of the other Jupiter Novels, but I get the feeling from reading some of the descriptions and reviews on Amazon that there is a specific formula or "bible" that is set up for this series. That is not bad in and of itself, but I couldn't help but feel that Hogan was a bit constrained by this format. I remember the Heinlein juveniles as being a bit more free-wheeling. I would say that if you are an adult fan of Hogan, don't expect too much of this one. If you are a teenager and have enjoyed the other books in the Jupiter series, you will enjoy this one as well. It is a quick read, the characters are likeable, the science is realistic, and the changes in the main character and his friends as they come of age are believable.