From Library Journal
The war between the inner planets and the asteroid belt is 25 years in the past; travel is common throughout the solar system, and human interests have spread as far as the moons of Jupiter. When a handful of very special people find themselves drawn by apparent circumstance to the underground colony on Europa, the seeds of a conflict long thought to be ended begin to bear unexpected fruit. The author of "The Heritage Universe" series combines a wealth of expertise in theoretical physics with a gift for storytelling to create a novel of hard science and political intrigue that belongs in most sf collections.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
Buzzing, expansive medium-future space drama from the physicist-author (see below). Toward the end of the 21st century, after a space war has devastated Earth, Mars, and the inhabited asteroid belt, development centers on the Galilean satellites of Jupiter. Keen to develop the ice-moon Europa is Cyrus Mobarak, genius inventor of portable fusion power units; opposing him is the reclusive brilliant researcher Hilda Brandt. And caught up in their almost imperceptible power struggle are fusion scientist Camille Hamilton, undersea researcher Jon Perry, and brilliant composer Wilsa Sheer- -all three of whom have extraordinarily augmented abilities. After an accident on the surface of Europa, Camille apparently freezes to death, only to revive without ill effects; Jon and Wilsa, trapped in a submersible in the deep water beneath Europa's icy surface, run out of air, but they revive too. Turns out that all three are survivors of wartime biological experiments aimed at creating super-talented humans--experiments directed by Hilda Brandt. The various plot elements take a while to come together, and there are one or two bothersome holes in the logic thereof. But this is certainly Sheffield's best effort to date. Watch for sequels. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"Sheffield's uncommon vision and storytelling skill will keep you on the edge of your seat."--David Brin

"Fits comfortably on the shelf with Clarke and Asimov and Heinlein. He writes classic stuff."--Analog

"Written at the level of Arthur c. Clarke at his best--with deft characterization, pellucid handling of scientific questions, good world building and real wit--this is arguable Sheffield's best book yte."--Booklist



Book Description
Twenty-five years ago there was a great interplanetary war in the Solar System. It was a suicidal spasm in which terrible weapons were created and used; in which nine billion people were killed. The rivalries that led to the war are not gone. And a few of those deadly weapons remain--some still orbiting the sun in the debris of destroyed ships,s some deliberately placed in storage.

Now Cyrus Mobarak, the man who perfected the fusion engine, is determined to bring human settlement to the protected seas of Europa. Opposing him is Hilda Brandt, Europa's administrator. And caught between them are three remarkable young people: Jon Perry, Camille Hamilton, and Wilsa Sheer.



About the Author
Charles Sheffield is a mathematician and theoretical physicist by training. His doctoral work was on Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. Currently Dr. Sheffield works as chief scientist for the Earth Satellite Corporation, a Washington, D.C.–based firm that specializes in the analysis of data gathered from space.

The author of thirty previous science fiction novels, including Cold as Ice and The Ganymede Club from Tor, Sheffield lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife, author Nancy Kress.

ANNOTATION

This hard science fiction novel opens 25 years after the great war between the Inner Planets (Earth and Mars) and the millions who had colonized the asteroid belt and the moons of Jupiter. Nine billion people were killed by the terrible weapons created and used. The rivalries that lead to the war are not gone--and a few of those deadly weapons remain. . . .

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Twenty-five years ago there was a great interplanetary war in the Solar System. It was a suicidal spasm in which terrible weapons were entered and used; in which nine billion people were killed. The rivalries that led to the war are not gone. And a few of those deadly weapons remain - some still orbiting the sun in the debris of destroyed ships, some deliberately placed in storage.