Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson

'A masterpiece' Times 'Any new novel by the great Kim Stanley Robinson is always an event and Red Moon doesn't disappoint' Independent 'Sci-fi fans will love the detail and the optimism about humanity's future in space' Wall Street Journal IT IS THIRTY YEARS FROM NOW, AND WE HAVE COLONISED THE MOON. American Fred Fredericks is making his first trip, his purpose to install a communications system for China's Lunar Science Foundation. But hours after his arrival he witnesses a murder and is forced into hiding. It is also the first visit for celebrity travel reporter Ta Shu. He has contacts and influence, but he too will find that the moon can be a perilous place for any traveller. Finally, there is Chan Qi. She is the daughter of the Minister of Finance, and without doubt a person of interest to those in power. She is on the moon for reasons of her own, but when she attempts to return to China in secret, the events that unfold will change everything - on the moon, and on Earth. Red Moon is a magnificent novel of space exploration and political revolution from New York Times bestselling author Kim Stanley Robinson. Recent titles by Kim Stanley Robinson: 2312 Shaman Aurora New York 2140

Wait what? Are you telling me this isn't part of a series? Dang it. It was both too long and too short. What happened with the AI? What happened with everything? Aaaarg.

Kim Stanley Robinson has stealthily become one of our leading SF writers over the past few decades, and this latest book explores the idea of a moon colonised by the Chinese. There's lots of interesting stuff here, like economic warfare between the US and China, an emerging alternative currency, lunar espionage, power struggles within the Chinese political elite and a popular uprising. Most of it happens in the background of this book though, as KSR keeps tightly focused on a few core characters (one of whom is definitely a descendant of Freds Fredericks from Escape From Kathmandu in my personal headcanon). It's solid stuff and an enjoyable read but it does feel like minor Robinson, a break between more substantial projects. Look at that list of stuff in my second sentence and you could easily imagine Neal Stephenson churning out a thousand pages on the same ideas, whereas KSR is happy to leave it underdeveloped in the background.
Ian MacDonald's Luna series is shaping up to be the definitive moon colonization story of our times, and this isn't in that league. Which isn't to say it's rubbish, just a bit...slight.