It's the years 2320s and Mars has been colonized by mining concerns, turning it into a planet-sized company town. An earth-born professor, George Mills, has immigrated to Mars and built a super-intelligent computer reminiscent of HAL in 2001, but far more sophisticated. George and his lady friend, Dr. Joanne Zhu, have used the computer to alter the gene structure of fifty Mars-born children, thereby creating a race beyond superhuman in abilities and intelligence. The earthly military/industrial complex finds these developments so frighteningly threatening they respond violently.

The descriptions of the cities on Mars really seem tangible and genuine.

Those who grew up cutting our teeth on superb science fiction classics and their authors often bemoan the fact that they don?t write them like they used to. This is because too few scientists are also science fiction writers, at least until now. Peter Dingus is the real deal, a research physicist and computer expert, he brings his science training and knowledge to his writing. In my estimation, he has picked up the standard Arthur C. Clarke dropped when he passed on. This is classic sci-fi at its best. We rated it five hearts.

Heartland Reviews

Based solely on the description of this book, I might have passed... but instead I stumbled across a great thought-provoking story that I couldn't put down. This book was better than Michael Crichton's genetic thriller "Next." Unlike Crichton's books that are set more or less in current times, Proteus Rising is a sci-fi book set far in the future so it's a bigger challenge to suspend disbelief. But the author manages to pull it off nicely. At its core this book is about flaws in human nature that have plagued us throughout history. We fear people who are different, and our first response to conflict is usually aggression. Proteus Rising's plot unfolds around an ingenious way to correct these flaws through genetic engineering. Ironically, this likely solution to chronic war, bigotry, and social conflict is very threatening to a society comprised of a species that's accustomed to being dominant. The very existence of a solution triggers the fears and aggressive response it was intended to solve.

When reading this book, even the most pacifist among us will be inclined to consider whether they could accept a path to peace and harmony that would involve surrendering control and eventually being replaced by a new species. At a more current level, this is not unlike the questions some societies face when political or religious revolution loom.

John Hibel

This book starts a little slowly, but soon gets very interesting and stays that way (at least read to the end of the sample). There is a strong people story, but an even stronger intellectual one about human evolution, and the foundations of your violent and aggressive nature. Would we be better if this changed? How would society at large respond when so much is rooted in our military and our polarization between different groups?

The book has a strong technical focus dealing with genetics, computer science, and societal structure. And it creates a wonderful vision of colonizing Mars while accepting that planet's fundamental environmental challenges.

In the end, the human story of relationship between very different people makes it hard to stop reading.

Marq N. Elliot

It's been a long time since i've read a book that i was so upset it was over. The discussions of human frailties, scientific precepts and love of the characters, made this a book hard to put down.

Robert Egan

This was one of the better science fiction reads I have come across in a while. I would definitely read the sequel if there was one.

ROSS E. DEFORREST

So now I have another author at the top of my list (actually it's a small group of them). What puts them there is the fact that they actually involve real science in the story. If I weren't so technology challenged I could say something more intelligent than that. My only sadness is that I can't find anymore books by this author... And wouldn't it be wonderful if he continued the story as they arrive at their destination and begin to live there!!!

Kindle Customer

The book is a great study of human emotion in a highly complex technical society. The children’s response to the challenges placed before them gives hope for the future.

Tomfred

Story ****1/2 Cover art **. Set 300 years in the future, a scientist, who resides on Mars, wonders what it will take to end the never ending cycles of war and destruction. He realizes that it is impossible to do so with human beings. He decides to engineer an advanced life form which doesn't have the kill and destroy instinct found in the brains of homo sapiens.

This is an thought provoking and action packed story. I docked half a star when, in a later chapter, it became bogged down in explanation. Other then that, an all around first rate adventure. Thanks to a reviewer of another book on Amazon who mentioned this book.

Christoph64

Excellent novel about the conundrum we face given our DNA. A solution is proposed in this fast-paced thriller, following a theme we have seen before, and very well executed. All elements and good sci-fi. Highly recommended.

joe dean williams

I enjoyed this book very much, wish there was more, to see how this all turn out in the future.

James Hicks

I found this a complex story..there is so much toning on and I really had to take a break from a little while and think about what I read.but I always came back to it because it was different and intriguing. That’s what it’s all about, reading stories that make me think and wonder. It’s a great book.

HappyhomeLH

Science fiction is too often about swashbucklers with no depth of character and poor understanding of the laws of nature. This story keeps you engaged and is deeply insightful about human nature as well as keeping honest about what is known about the universe. Peter Dingus is clearly highly intelligent, communicates action and situation eloquently, and makes me feel glad he has such a great imagination. You can not read this 'what if' adventure mixed with some carefully extrapolated wishful thinking without also thinking of this author as your brother in spirit. Do not miss the opportunity to envision this world. READ THIS STORY. It is worth your time to read and was well worth his effort to write it for us. Thank you, all!

Pierre