Scientists at Soldyne, notably Toshi Kendo, who had written the software program that controlled the satellites that directed the microwaves which would melt the iceberg are ready for the next phase in the program. They are not a moment too soon for the company’s investors were impatient to see some return on their money.

Concurrently a group of scientists working at Raney is struggling with their collective conscience to accept tourists into their facility in order to pay the cost of their research while still maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning about a unique ecosystem. Already the continent had been compromised with the inadvertent introduction of exotic species. Rats, apparently stowaways on visiting ships, had invaded the continent becoming quite successful in that their normal predators were conspicuously absent. There is some concern among the scientists for the rats are unafraid of man, and any individual who is sick or injured is likely to be attacked as the rats have learned to hunt in packs. The Raney contingent is soon to discover the veracity of this statement.

In addition the impending arrival of companies like Soldyne is worrisome. They are interested in profiting from their investment and most of their employees are not overly concerned about the possible impact their venture will have on the environment.

While the basic premise of this first novel is a promising one there are some rough edges that could profit from some polishing. The interface between the group of scientists and those people working for Soldyne is not well explained or integrated. It was difficult to determine how the two groups related. Obviously their reasons for being there were conflicting, but just how they were situated geographically and how much they knew about each other was rather vague.

The author created some tense scenes with the appearance of the iceberg and confrontation of rats and men. However, especially the rat scenes seemed almost surreal. Would the rats really attack a person capable of fighting back? I can accept the possibility of rats attacking a sick or injured person, but one that is moving toward them with a weapon is much harder to believe. I also have trouble believing a pregnant woman with diabetic complications is as physically dexterous and resilient as one of the main protagonists seems to be. All sorts of extraordinary demands are being made on her body, yet she endures.

I realize that the use of helicopters is probably more common in Antarctica than in many other places in the world, but having read many thrillers lately where helicopter rescues and chases figure prominently I believe that this scenario is overworked. It no longer evokes a feeling of mortal danger, but tedium. The main protagonists, while being human in their inability to think in difficult situations makes them less than endearing to a vicarious reader.

The initial premise of utilizing icebergs as a source of fresh water is an intriguing one. I’m not sure how practical it is, nor how much of an impact it would have on Antarctica. I am assuming the presence of rats on the continent is true, though I’d be interested to know how a mammal little adapted to such extremes of cold could not only survive, but thrive.

--Andy Plonka