Review: The Outcasts of Heaven Belt by Joan D. Vinge

Synopsis: This novel tells of a future where interstellar travel is a reality, but just barely. No galaxy-spanning empire, just a set of planets, some marginally habitable, full of colonists trying to survive, and sometimes to get ahead. The system was called Heaven, because it contained resources enough to sustain life and maybe even more. But when an outside starship fell into the system on a trade and contact mission, the crew discover how easily people can make a hell out of heaven. Civil war has reduced the once-great civilization of Heaven's Belt to a set of struggling, isolated societies, each too intent on their own survival to help the others. The crew of the starship Ranger must find a way out of the system before their ship is taken and used as the last weapon for the last war. I enjoyed the differentness of this novel. Life in the future may not be as easy as most S/F tales portray it. What would our culture turn into if we ran out of resources? (from the online description)
Review: This is a fine space adventure, with more depth than I expected. With her own world struggling to survive, the main character travels to Heaven's Belt with her family, expecting to fine a rich world full over resources and assistance. What she finds is a fracture realm, full of suffering and death and desperation.
While the book is short, the story has surprising complexity and depth. The world-building is rich, the characters well-rounded, and the plot fast-paced. There was a nice balance between the internal conflict and external action, with realistic conflict creating intriguing tension. Worth reading if you enjoy space adventures, good characters, and imaginative plot.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: N/A
Year Published: 1978
Date Finished: 1-4-2018
Pages: 198