This book was so powerful and inspiring that it dragged my butt off my couch and threw me back into my home office to restart writing my own novel. It's that inspiring. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Are there better, more technically sound novels out there? Yes. Is there a bit of an issue with the way the hero ends the book? Yes. Is it probably actually a four star book? Yes. So why do I give it five stars?

Because it inspired me to love space again. To think of all the possibilities out there. I think Rob's use of the Alt-History backdrop reminded me of the excitement that space used to be for all of us, and certainly for me. It's what the early books of The Expanse did for me so many years ago now. Yes, by george, it's that good.

It's not perfect. Without giving away a spoiler, there is one small issue at the end that could have been tightened up, but didn't affect the overall aim and arc of the book. The move to a different planet as setting was a bit "jolt-y" as well.

The characters, however, were 100% spot on. Maybe some of the best characterization I've seen in science fiction since I've been podcasting (little over two years). The foundation of the plot is really sound and really cool. I haven't seen something so original in awhile. This is just a really good book.

A fantastic read exploring intriguingly new ideas that quickly grasps the reader for a page turning ride.

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review
Author R.W.W. Greene created an alternate history works that I wouldn’t mind exploring in more depth.
The threat of an alien menace builds as the main character joins the EOF (America’s Space Force). After a great look at some of the differences in this world (something I enjoy a lot in an Alt History novel) the book seemed to slow somewhat just after the halfway point as it transitioned into a new setting that took me a while to get used to.
This book kept me interested in reading it for the most part, but there were also times where I could easily stop reading it for a couple of days.
That said, I had a lot of fun with the Alt History aspect of the book and will definitely be looking for more from Greene in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot for a copy of this book to read and review!
For how long this book is, it was such a fast paced read that really sucked me in. I hadn't heard of this book before I saw it on Netgalley and the premise sounded really interesting, but I was still a bit hesitant as I hadn't done much previous research on this title. I am really glad that I requested a copy of this though! I thought that the characters were all unique in voice and fleshed out better than I expected. The humor was on point, the banter--especially on the gay spaceship, lol. I thought that the rep was great and the way that those aboard the gay spaceship were able to hear and acknowledge Brooklyn's worries/issues without entirely dismissing him. I think I would have liked a bit more of a solid ending, but the fact that it's so open gives me hope that we will get even more from this world and the characters. The book can definitely work as a standalone--it isn't *that* open ended, but I do feel the Spidey senses tickling a sequel (fingers crossed). Overall, this was a really fast and fun read with great characters and plot. I highly recommend checking this out!

If you want a book that reads like you're wearing classic-sci-fi-tinted specs, then "Mercury Rising" is the book for you. It's a settle in and snuggle down type of read. I enjoyed R.W.W. Greene's writing a lot, and the story is great. I wanted to connect more deeply with the characters, but couldn't (I'm still debating if this is purely down to me - and it probably is). Maybe one for the re-read pile to see if familiarity breeds a connection.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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This was an entertaining read and definitely one of the better alternative timeline stories that I've read!

The blurb does a great job of not spoiling too much and any more than that would be giving away a lot.

Although I would love to read a sequel to this, it is truly an amazing read as a standalone too.

Overall rating: 5/5 stars

I'm a little hesitant to read alt past history, but I liked this overall. I didn't always enjoy the dialog, and it was a bit uneven in places. But I think it's a worthwhile read. This author has talent, and he'll write more good stuff.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!

"Mercury Rising charmed and fascinated me. Greene has taken an absolutely wild premise and somehow made it fit like a puzzle piece into our own history and knowledge of the greater universe. It is unexpected and clever, heartfelt and funny, with big, conceptual penny-drop moments that hit the reader as hard as they hit the novel's weary protagonist, Brooklyn Lamontagne."

Can I just say how much I loved the opening chapter? The first chapter could be a short story in itself -from the initial tense standoff between the aliens and Earth to the epic space battles to Jet’s (an astronaut) final sacrifice to save Earth.

The main point of view character is Brooklyn who is one of the most realistic characters I have come across in science-fiction. A young man who at the start of the book isn’t driving his own story- a reluctant hero who has to be dragged into doing the right and who is rightly scared in the situations he finds himself in. But we see his character develop through the book, so when he steps up in a desperate attempt to save Earth, it’s no surprise- we have seen his journey to become a hero.

Brook is a street-wise kid at the dawn of an alternative history Space Age where Oppenheimer developed atomic rocket engines and a combined US/Soviet force repelled an alien invasion out beyond the moon. Living in the unified (but economically devastated) sixties, Brook never intended to join the EOF (Space Force by another name), but it was that or prison, so up he went. He figured he could ride out his tour servicing computers on the moon and making illegal vodka on the side, and he doesn't even really believe in the alien menace, despite the smoking crater that was Cleveland.  The last thing he wants to be is a hero.

The universe really doesn't care what Brooklyn Lamontagne wants.

(Full review 4/1/22: http://www.sfrevu.com/php/Review-id.php?id=19754)

This was a fun time! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I've been finding my attention span lacking for regular reading these days, so for this to keep my attention and drag me in, a feat was accomplished. It has the "magic" that a lot of Angry Robot's books lean toward and I appreciated how it got more ridiculous the further we went in.

Firstly, our anti-hero Brooklyn was a mood, the entire time. He's really just trying to do what he needs to do to get to the other side and not kick up too much dust in between, only to have to do the most to save humanity. The other characters that we run into along the way were all pretty great, and besides a few things being a little unrealistic near the end parts, I fully was on board the whole time.

As for the themes that are discussed in this book, could we have gone a little deeper? Sure... we totally could have. But by the time you get to think about it, you've read the book and you've had a decent time.

In the author's note Mr. Greene said we were going to see Brooklyn & friends again, and yeah, I'll be there with bells on.

3.5/5

Mercury Rising provides plenty of thrills and fast-paced action. I liked the alternate history take on an alien invasion and how the book defies easy categorization.
Unfortunately, I wasn't crazy about the characters. However, it's subjective, so I expect other readers will have much more fun with this one than I had.

DNF @ 37%

The main character was unprepossessing. The language and prose was annoying, like a mix of trying too hard to be old-timey and just straight up obnoxious. The mystery of the Mercurians should have held my attention, but didn't. I felt zero desire to keep reading.

3.5/5 stars.

We follow Brooklyn, a guy down on his luck who chooses to join the EOF (Earth Orbital Force) to escape his criminal past and oh, protect against alien invasion. We’re in an alternate time line of the 1960/70’s where aliens from Mercury have made themselves known and are a threat to humanity. As a new recruit, he’s shipped around to different posts throughout as a technician, and encounters a cast of characters all with their own predilections.

I enjoyed the opening scene as Jet Carson, American ace-astronaut rallies his forces to strike out at the Mercurian fleet, and how this story was revisited later with different takeaways. This fight sequence was appropriate as it set the tone of the story - a no-nonsense mans’ man action hero doing the necessary.

This introduction and tone felt fitting for the time period it is set it in - except for some hints at modernity and the outright acceptance of a ship of gay astronauts, this story felt like it could have been published decades earlier. This is both a strength and weakness - the mostly formulaic story structure with little nuance makes it an easy, enjoyable read, but doesn’t push beyond that envelope.

Perhaps a strange identifier, but I would describe the prose as being “muscular”- not a lot of fat on the bone in turns of phrase, strong themes or resonant meaning, but rather has a driving force to push the plot forward.

I'm going to start by saying that I did not take this book too seriously. That is not a criticism, per se, but rather this book struck me as a book that doesn't take itself too seriously and therefore the reader should not either. There were certain scenes in which Kenny Loggins was playing in my head and I kept waiting for a nice moon volleyball game to break out.

This is not to say that it's bad, but from this reader's perspective...corny. Fun, corny.

I find that I prefer "hard" sci-fi a good deal more than I enjoy the "fun, sci-fi romp." I think that some authors, Scalzi, in particular, find a balance between the two. Mercury Rising falls closer to the latter and therefore I found myself having to smother the incredulous sci-fi nerd part of my brain on some of the plot points.

It is fun, it is cheesy in parts, but should a sequel be written, I don't know that I'd go back for seconds.

I'm always a fan of reluctant hero/anti-hero stories, which is why I picked up Mercury Rising, the story of Brooklyn Lamontagne, a man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up in prison for it. Instead of staying in prison, he volunteers for a ten-year term in the Earth Orbital Forces (EOF). Earth has united against aliens (the Mercurians), and all Brooklyn wants to do is serve out his decade as a computer technician. But, as it goes for reluctant heroes, he ends up right in the middle of the action despite his best efforts to avoid it.

I found this book a little hard to get into, and very long. Greene certainly left doors open for future stories in this universe, and the reader is left with loose ends untied. Overall 3.25/5 stars, but would probably rate higher if you're a die-hard sci-fi fan.

A sci-fi adventure set on an alternate Earth in a technologically-advanced 1975, 15 years following a Venusian attack on the planet. Our anti-hero, Brooklyn, convicted as an accessory to murder, gets a shot at freedom (and redemption) by joining the Earth Orbital Force. He figures he can keep his head down, stay out of trouble, and eventually resume his daily life - but trouble finds Brooklyn in the form of an alien threat. He’s in well over his head, but that doesn’t stop our reluctant hero from ultimately stepping up in an attempt to save the world. It’s a great hero’s journey with some inspired alt-worldbuilding that loses some steam when it strays into silly SF territory, tonally undermining the dramatic stakes. All in all, however, it’s a fun read.

The concept is interesting enough, but the narrative has a raw edge that isn't quite my cup of tea. Others may find this aspect more refreshing, however.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book takes place in an alternate universe version of the 1960's and 1970's in a world where Kennedy wasn't assassinated and where the space program continued to the point where the moon was colonized and first contact was made with extra-terrestrials. When the book starts, the earth is at war with an alien species, and the 'hero' gets out of prison by enlisting to join that fight. It's an interesting book, covering about thirty years in all, and it explores many of the different parts of this new world - training on Earth, missions on the moon, aboard ships, and with a human colony of POW's under the surface of Venus, to name a few. This is a good book. It's a fast read and the world building is fun. My only complaint would be that in covering so many things in one book, the reader doesn't really have the time to explore all of them as thoroughly as might be desired. Still, a fun book and worth reading.

Mercury Rising

[Blurb goes here]

The story starts with what I can only describe as a vignette from an old sci-fi TV show. Galant heroes named Jet, a common ground between enemy nations who fight together against a massive threat. I loved it. Then it goes on to recount the misadventures of a low life. A low life that you hate at first, that is, until he becomes a hero.

I think this book is well worth your time.

Thank you for the free copy!

It’s been a long time since I read a book involving alternative timelines and aliens invading earth that I really felt was original and told the story in such a way as not finish with “to be continued” leaving the reader frustrated and at the time wanting more but by the time sequel arrives not so much actually, this book was a delight, it engaged me from the start and held my attention completely, I loved it 😊 and to go back to my earlier comment, would I want another, absolutely but I would also just bask in the pleasure of this book as a stand alone