Second Chance

by David D. Levine

Overview

Chaz Eades is on the mission of a lifetime—the first to an alien solar system far beyond our own—and it’s a one-way trip. When he learns that contact with Earth has been lost, he wants to help reestablish communication. But the commander insists on science first and contact later, the crew is inexplicably hostile, and Chaz finds himself painfully isolated. Soon he realizes that there’s a secret at the heart of the crew’s troubles that is much larger than any he could have imagined. All bets are off, and he’s not at all prepared for the mission he faces now: survival.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940148143086
Publisher:	Book View Café
Publication date:	07/12/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	345 KB

About the Author

David D. Levine’s short stories have appeared in Asimov’s, F&SF, Analog, Realms of Fantasy, and numerous other magazines, websites, and anthologies, including four Year’s Best volumes (two SF, two Fantasy). He’s won a Hugo (Best Short Story, for “Tk’Tk’Tk”) and has received many other awards and nominations. David likes to think of himself as a writer who takes the classic ideas of Golden Age SF and gives them a fresh, up-to-date presentation… the SF equivalent of a New Beetle or Mini Cooper.

David lives in Portland, Oregon, where he’s spent more than half his life, and is now happily retired after working for 24 years at Tektronix, Intel, and McAfee. He co-edits the fanzine Bento with his wife, Kate Yule, and his website is at daviddlevine.com.

Editorial Reviews

Although solving these two mysteries are the external plot, the story is largely about the characters and true second chances – both personal and societal. I really liked this story, and found it riveting.

POD People - Chris Gerrib

Hard science fiction with a sexual politics undercurrent. … realistic characters and a half-dozen well-explored ideas.

Author Magazine - Kevin Lauderdale

This is the sort of science literate SF that shows how very fragile we are and the high risk of space travel. Also risky as it brings up race and religion and prejudice. And a thorny electrical engineering/communications problem. Chaz Eades is having a very difficult time and it isn’t his fault, but for none of the usual reasons why. Probably one of the better "more probable" interstellar travel SF stories I’ve run across in quite a while. Highly Recommended.

Dr. Phil Physics - Dr. Philip Edward Kaldon

Hard science fiction that is much more about the characters than the technology. … It all ties together in a masterful crescendo that is one of the most powerful and moving stories of forgiveness and hope that I’ve ever read.

Abyss & Apex - Wendy S. Delmater

David D. Levine packs powerful emotion into "Second Chance," a tale of resurrected scientists in a space research station that has lost touch with Earth. … plenty of story for readers to sink their teeth into. (starred review)

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