Meltdown

by James Powlik

Book Overview

In his spellbinding new novel, oceanographer James Powlik combines cutting-edge science with a storyteller's gift for drama. A heart-pounding action thriller, races across the frozen expanse of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385334001
• ISBN13: 9780385334006
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 333 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A tale worth losing sleep over

James Powlik's second novel is as relevant as his first in its accurate and harrowing depiction of real-world threats to the global environment. His characters, well-drawn and evocative, balance the science narrative to provide an eco-thriller worthy of any big-screen adaptation. Well worth the time to enjoy.

A gem

"Meltdown" provides a rare mix of an interesting, intelligent mystery with well-drawn characters. The setting is wonderful and the finale is worth every page of the build-up to the climax. Timely and relevant (both environmentally and globally), Powlik packs this one with drama and politics. Highly recommended.

Ice-bound thriller with a lot of heart

Despite its setting in the high Arctic, "Meltdown" is a warm and exciting tale of adventure, romance and mystery rolled into one without any of the threads becoming tangled or worn. I raced through this one in two days, rapt with interest in how the thrills and spills would come out -- as in Powlik's previous work, the reader is left hanging on for dear life until the final chapter. I agree with Publisher's Weekly - this would make an excellent movie.

A sequel that doesn't disappoint!

I have always been skeptical of sequels, especially when the original is as well-done as this one's ("Sea Change"). With "Meltdown," Dr. Powlik not only meets the bar he set for himself and his characters previously, but spectacularly exceeds it. "Meltdown" is really two books in one - a compelling mystery and a titilating (if wistful) romance taking place in the face of (another) global catastrophe. This science writer is a true find and I hope he's here to stay -- the genre could use more from him. Also recommended: Sea Change by James Powlik

Good sf

The Arctic appears to be dying, as every living creature seems dead or on the brink of death. In Canada north of the Circle, the Leukemia ravishes the Inuit. The crew of the research vessel Phoenix is stunned when two members are found dying from radiation poisoning. The ocean-living creatures all contain toxic levels of radioactivity. Other signs show that something is wrong with the ecosystem surfaces.Phoenix leader Dr. Carol Harmon reluctantly asks her former husband, Navy Lieutenant Commander Brock Garner for help. Though he is in the Antarctic region, Brock moves as fast as he can to answer Carol's mayday. Both conclude that illegal dumping has placed the planet at risk of a new ice age with radioactive contamination to ride along the moving frozen sea. However, neither one yet realizes how close to danger either one is to them from individuals with their own program.As with the powerful SEA CHANGE, MELTDOWN is a non-stop environmental thriller that showcases the ability of James Powlik to tell an action-packed tale. The story line grips the reader although the detail technological explanations provide a mixed blessing to the audience. On the one hand, it gives credence and authenticity to the plot while educating readers. On the other hand it slows down the pace to more of an ice age creep at times because many fans will need to ease up on the reading pace to fully grasp the information. Regardless, readers who enjoy scientific backup in immense depth will relish this strong environmental thriller.Harriet Klausner