Austin Boyd Reviews

Added January 25, 2008

The Return

A Mars Hill Classified Book

Author: Austin Boyd
Publisher: NavPress
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: Available now
Genre: Science Fiction: Christian
Format: Trade paper
Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9-78157683-946-1
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

The Return brings readers to the third installment in the Mars Hill Classified series. This unique science fiction story is packed with foundational Christian truths, creating a fascinating blend of action and insights.

Since his family ties were cut on Earth, Rear Admiral John Wells volunteered to lead a third NASA team to Mars. Life on the red planet always had an air of unpredictability around it, but when John looked out the window of his team's laboratory module and saw the lights of an unidentified slow moving vehicle coming toward him, he knew this was the start of something momentous. His uninvited guest proved to have links to a prominent cult figure that had grand designs and sinister intentions. In a swift acting series of events, John had to expose deadly lies in an atmosphere that was starved for the truth.

The dual story lines, one set on Earth and the other on Mars, provide readers with a panoramic view of the characters and their situations. Living conditions on Mars are described with enough futuristic details to make the story believable, while the happenings on the home planet contain an exciting amount of tension and twists. The spiritual aspect highlights the grandiose and dangerous schemes of cult figure, Malcolm Raines as he attempts to create a Father Race. Although the planets and principal people are separated by thousands of miles, there is a palpable sense of urgency to halt the plans of Raines before he consummates the final moments of his madness.

The basic beliefs of Christianity stand solidly in this novel, resisting the fantastic claims of a false religion that is based on emotional greed and technological trickery. Readers will experience a full range of feelings, from fear to frustration to an unwavering faith, as each of the characters follows the 'flight plan' they have chosen.

The Return is a stellar story!

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 25, 2008

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2008 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.