Book details
Crescent (Helium-3, 2)
Description
She was born to kill, born to die.Crescent is a crowhopper-a genetically modified mercenary programmed for ruthless warfare. When she's taken prisoner by Crater Trueblood instead of being killed in battle, she thinks it's a disaster.Crater is weary of war. He's a miner, not a soldier. He'd rather be mining Helium-3 than battling the infernal crowhoppers. But after he captures Crescent and brings her to Moontown, he's surprised how much he enjoys her company. When she's falsely accused of murder, he becomes an outlaw to help her escape.The unlikely pair escapes into the "big suck" and wind up trekking with a caravan of mining pioneers toward a lunar ghost town called Endless Dust. To survive, they must do more than navigate the beautiful, desolate moonscape and battle a persistent band of crowhoppers sent to capture or kill them. They must decide what-and who-is truly worth fighting for."Expertly blending space opera and hard sci-fi, romance, and even mystery . . . this is fast-paced, packed with intriguing ideas . . ." -Peter Gutierrez, Booklist Review"Classic Golden Age science fiction high-adventure. It brought back memories of reading Asimov . . . that same sense of wonder. I absolutely loved it." -Michael Scott, New York Times Best-selling Author, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series
Age
13-17
Text complexity
proficient
Length
336 pages
Book in series
#2
Why to read
- Engaging Science Fiction: Homer Hickam is known for his ability to weave compelling science fiction narratives that are grounded in real scientific principles, making 'Crescent' a potentially thrilling and thought-provoking read.
- Rich World-Building: Hickam's background in aerospace engineering and his experience as a NASA engineer often translate into richly detailed and believable world-building, which readers may find immersive and captivating.
- Complex Characters: Hickam's works typically feature complex characters who face moral dilemmas and personal challenges, providing readers with relatable and multi-dimensional figures to engage with.
- Educational Value: Reading 'Crescent' may offer insights into space exploration, the potential of Helium-3 as an energy source, and the technological and societal implications of colonizing other celestial bodies, all wrapped in an entertaining narrative.