I felt so immediately grounded in the world of FIRST COSMIC VELOCITY. Powers did an amazing job bringing Russia and the Ukraine into clear focus. His characters populated Star City and Bohdan, and even orbit with comfort and ease. I rarely visualize the settings in novels, but Powers’s place sparked with life, so crisp I could close my eyes and inhabit the locales.

I especially enjoyed the flashback chapters in the 1950s. The Leonid boys held special fascination for me.

If I had to pinpoint one missed opportunity, I’d say the book could have used a sprinkling more humor, but this is a minor comment for a novel so well drafted.