New Earth
The discovery of an Earthlike planet—oxygen atmosphere and oceans of liquid water—inevitably generates an expedition to that planet. But it will take the explorers 80 years each way. Cryonic suspension will let them survive the round-trip with only 20-odd years of aging, but they will return to Earth some 200 years after they left. Their expedition is really an exile, but some of Earth’s best and brightest volunteer. They even survive the trip to the newly discovered planet, Sirius C. But they find some unexpected anomalies on the otherwise highly congenial new Earth. It has a small native population of remarkably humanoid intelligent beings. And they are not only humanoid, but they are also extremely friendly and informative. Between the natives and their own discoveries, the explorers begin to suspect that Sirius C is an artifact. But if so, who made it? And when will we find out? A more than readable combination of scientific puzzle and alien-contact story, New Earth is Bova at the top of his form. --Roland Green