I grew up in a home filled with books, yet science fiction was often missing from my parent’s shelves. True, my mother did smuggle me a copy of Chariot of the Gods, but that was only after she saw that my fascination with UFOs, aliens, and all things ancient beyond comprehension was not going to simply go away. To me, the best stories were those set in the future, yet dealing with beings and mysteries older than the human race itself. When I began writing The Ruins of Mars, I brought that passion to my own work, crafting a story that felt timeless, hopeful, and full of mystery.
I know I’m not supposed to double-dip, but Arthur C. Clarke is a man of many masterpieces, and this is another one. The idea of the space elevator is brilliant and believable. But it is Clarke’s handling of "first contact" that has me recommending the novel. Without spoiling anything, he crafts a scenario wholly different from his other books, yet equally believable and fascinating.
