Comet Dis'Aster

By L. Eduardo Vega

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1889059773
• ISBN13: 9781889059778
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Regent Pr
• Length: 335 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent, unflinching look at the worst possible disaster

Mr. Vega needs to write more books! He is a well-read amateur astronomer and pathologist living in Tucson. This is an unflinching and serious novel postulating the effects and aftereffects of an extinction-level cometary impact on a near-future Earth in 2040 AD and the lives of the few survivors. It pulls no punches and is scientifically accurate with the exception of a few dubious future technologies (they definitely do NOT change or help the fate of the protagonists). I read it in one long day and evening and enjoyed every minute. It is rather unrelentingly grim in large parts, it sure isn't a re-novelization of Armageddon or even Deep Impact (thank GOD). There is no reset-button ending although the final few chapters feel rushed and not fleshed out very well. Don't skip the epilogue, which contains some of the best descriptive text in the book.

Science fiction with real scientific thought

I was fortunate enough to be an early reader of Ed Vega's new science fiction account of a factually sound senario for what might transpire should our home planet sustain a major asteroid impact during our life time. Of course, such an impact will eventually happen again, the much publicised impact at the end of the Cretacious at the time of the demise of the dinosaures being only one of many impacts in our planet's four and a half billion year history. The topic has had weakly scientific treatment in popular media of the Bruce Willis ilk, but never before has a fictional account based on up to date science been attempted. Dr. Vega does just this, and with resounding success. The characters are full of life, many based on real people, and the reader cannot help but care about them as they struggle to survive in the long and harsh aftermath of the disaster. The plot is enthralling, prompting rapid turning of pages to find out what befalls the protagonists next. The depictions of the consequences for humanity and for the ecology of our planet are soundly rooted in scietific data, the pace of the story is riviting, and the conclusion is one of hope. When I got my copy, I stayed up until 3 in the morning, unable to put the book down. One word of caution, however. This is not science fiction for children; the accounts of heroic behavior, suffering, and savagery are quite graphic, and unsettling even for adult readers. The original text was to consist of alternating chapters of fictional story line and scientific discussion, but this part of the concept was a casualty of the publication process. I thought it to be a grand idea, and I hope that a future edition can include these chapters. Maybe I can talk Dr. Vega into a kid oriented science fiction book with this concept included. Congratulations to Ed Vega on an enthralling read that smashingly (pun intended) points out the need for scientific literacy. Well done!

Fantastic Science Fiction in the Asimov Tradition

I read my first science fiction book in the fourth grade, a book filled with wonder and scientific facts and speculation and became a true fan of science fiction. In recent years I've drifted away from the genre as it drifted away from hard science and more toward fantasy. Comet Dis'Aster renews my faith in science fiction and left me wanting more. The writing reminded me of my favorite science fiction writer of all time, Isaac Asimov, an engrossing combination of hard science and an exciting plot. The description of the fast moving events that took place around the world at the comet's impact are so riveting that I could not put the book down for one second and the human drama that takes place afterwards left me both disturbed and hopeful. I may be just a little prejudiced since the author is my son's uncle and I have the honor of knowing him personally, but I can heartily recommend this book to any lover of science fiction, especially those who love science fiction that is really based on science. Excellent writing and well-thought-out scientific speculation truly make this a five-star book.

Thumbs Up ! And heads up (the comets are coming) !

I truly enjoyed Comet Dis'Aster. I couldn't put it down and carried it everywhere with me. The premise/plot is so increidibly plausible, its scares you witless into enjoying the best out of every day, especially the food we eat (those who have read it will understand what I mean). L.E. Vega's use of his knowledge of science is extraordinary, his insight into human behavior is reminiscent of George Orwell and his predictions for future technology and health are inspiring. I highly recommend it those intregued by predictions by Nostradamus, Jeanne Dixon and the final chapters of the Holy Bible. Even though comet and asteroid disasters have been exploited in the recent past by Hollywood, this is the most complete, refreshing and engaging hypothesis on the subject I have read. It makes you wonder where the researchers of these movies were looking when they came up with their screenplays!

Excellent! Stupendous! Book. Couldn't put it down!

L. E. Vega's Comet Disaster is a masterpiece. Glord, the book's evil protagonist, is a monster! What he does in the name of survival is truly shocking and outrageous. This book will not bore you. Robert, the good protagonist, struggles to survive and make it to the end of the book. One cannot help but cheer for him and I nearly dropped the book and applauded when he did something truly grand at the end. I don't want to take anything away from readers by giving you the plot, but the plot is outstanding. I wanted more when I finished the book. It's that kind of book. You can't put it down and then you don't want it to be over when you have finished it. I am a bigtime reader of books of all types and Comet Dis'Aster accomplishes something few books can do - it puts the science back in science fiction! It is filled with amazing scientific information that I would never have been exposed to if I hadn't read Comet Dis'Aster. It's a great book. It's easily 5 stars - the highest ranking. Inside the back jacket, the book explains that the author, L. E. Vega is both a physician and an astronomer. He knows his stuff!