"In Ascension" by Martin MacInnes: A Riveting Book Review
Martin MacInnes's Booker Prize-longlisted novel "In Ascension" weaves a cosmic tale of Earth's survival, blending the mysteries of the universe with the grim reality of depleted resources. The story follows marine biologist Leigh Hasenbosch's journey from a deep-sea expedition to a U.S.-led mission to build a starship and follow an artificial asteroid that may hold secrets vital to Earth's survival. While the novel's mission prep and family history elements may slow the pace, the final act proves to be compelling, evoking a sense of cosmic desolation and promise, with a commitment to ambiguity by story's end.