Betrayal/Battle/Storm

In this collection of novellas, second in Firefall's Science Fiction by Scientists series, physicist and astronomer Friesen applies his knowledge to adventures set on the Moon and Mars, wrapping accurate science around somewhat less effective fiction. "Buddy System" sees a romantic rivalry turn deadly when one man is left for dead on the Moon. "Sail a Dusty Sky" puts two would-be Mars explorers in peril when a dust storm incapacitates their experimental blimp. "Armor in Aristoteles" examines the potential evolution of lunar combat. Friesen writes like a scientist, with an intense focus on details and minutiae; his new technologies and strategies for space exploration are plausible, but narrative momentum is often sacrificed with each new step-by-step info dump. The plots are solid, but the dialogue is stilted and characterization shallow, resulting in extended intellectual exercises masquerading as Heinleinesque tales. (Jan.)