Review by ysyuan -- Heaven and Earth by Arturo Riojas

[ysyuan]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Heaven and Earth" by Arturo Riojas.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Heaven and Earth is a science fiction dedicating on revealing the cause and effect of cadmium poisoning with a story. The book starts with a few starting points explaining the back-story of the main characters including several intellectuals studying in different fields and extra-terrestrial Treretumians who are revisiting Earth since the first visit a few centuries ago.

The story starts with the conference organized by the Department of Defence, where Olga, Dr. Welch, and Sam made their first encounter. Olga, who refused to follow the rules set by the organizers were addressed as subversive due to national security and was then tailed by Agent Stevenson. She grew suspicious about the conference held by the Department of Defence and decided to venture to the sky above Area 51 on a hot air balloon to have a look what was kept in there with the accompany of Gavilán. After they have collected sufficient data using High-Resolution Digital Camera (HRDC), they encountered extra-terrestrial beings, a Treretumian, Nivla and his two drones. This is the first encounter of the Earthlings and the Treretumians. Nivla and his two drones were on a mission revisiting Earth, however, they have a personal mission on retrieving the corpse of his brother after the disappearance of a spacecraft of Treretumian on Earth occurred more than half a century ago. Hence, a team was formed among the Treretumians and the Earthlings to retrieve the corpse of Nivla’s brother and reveal the secret of Area 51.

The story of extraterrestrial beings meeting human is nothing new as a science fiction, but it is something new, at least to me, that the author had reflected the problems encountered by humans onto extra-terrestrial beings. Furthermore, the author also suggests possible solution and guidance in solving the problems through the conversation of the Earthlings and the Treretumians. It is amazing that the author not only unleashing his imagination on the scientific development achieved by the Treretumians, who are a lot more advanced than humans but also in political terms in which how the ruling clan of Treretumians claimed the throne in Treretum. Although the scientific development achieved by Treretumians are part of fiction, I do look forward to the development of such technologies, especially the one utilizing “unused space” in the brain to control additional limbs. It is also interesting to learn about the mechanisms of cadmium poisoning through the invasion of the fiend of Treretumians, the “Muimdac”.

The whole purpose of this book is to deliver the knowledge of cause and effect of cadmium poisoning to us. It is interesting and new to me that the author ended each chapter with a list of facts of cadmium poisoning which is informative and relevant to the story for each of the chapters. Although it is optional to read the list as it does not affect the storyline, however, in my opinion, the list serves the purpose of summarizing and emphasizing the cause and effect of cadmium poisoning which is the main purpose of this book. It is advisable to read the list after each chapter to gain a better understanding of the purpose and knowledge the author wanted to deliver regarding cadmium poisoning.

I’ll rate Heaven and Earth 3 out of 4 stars. I love the storyline of this book and how the author presents the facts of cadmium poisoning both in and out of the story. Furthermore, it is something new for me to learn how the author substituted the mechanisms of cadmium poisoning in humans into Muimdac invasion on Treretumians, except the fact that cadmium poisoning in humans is not transmittable among humans, but Muimdac is transmittable among Treretumians. The only reason I’m not giving a four star is that the story started out in too many starting points in which it is a little confusing for me, although I understand those are necessary as to both make the story complete and deliver the knowledge about cadmium poisoning. Overall it is a great science fiction and I recommend this book to whoever loves science fiction and those who want to know more about cadmium poisoning in a more fictional way.

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Heaven and Earth
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Like ysyuan's review? Post a comment saying so!

[SPasciuti]

I was honestly so back and forth about reading this one and ultimately decided not to because I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the premise. The way you describe the story line does a much better job of making it sound interesting, I think, than the actual summary for the book did. Admittedly, I'm still not sure if I'll read it but it was nice to read your account of the book.

Thanks for the review!

[HouseOfAtticus]

Thank you for writing this review. I loved it. I would love to give this book a chance.

[kdstrack]

I really like your comments about the technological developments mentioned in the book. The author has helped us expand our minds to "possibilities" and what could come in the future. Very nice review.

[Cristina Chifane]

Thank you for your review. I also think there are many interesting theories to be found in-between the lines of the book.