Soon Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kim Stanley Robinson

In "Aurora", a multi-generational starship departs Earth on a centuries-long mission to colonize a moon orbiting a planet in the Tau Ceti system. Upon arrival, the colonists face a devastating realization: the alien environment is biologically incompatible with human life, threatening their survival and the viability of the mission. This crisis forces a reckoning with the limits of human adaptability and prompts a difficult decision - whether to persist in an inhospitable world or attempt a perilous return to Earth.

"Aurora" was published in July, 2015. Upon release, it received strong critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of interstellar travel and for its philosophical depth. Reviewers praised its scientific rigor and narrative innovation, particularly the use of the ship's artificial intelligence as a narrator. The novel also sparked discussion within the science fiction community for its skeptical stance on space colonization, diverging from more optimistic portrayals common in the genre.

Answer: Robert Charles Wilson

In "Bios", humanity in the 22nd century has expanded across the solar system and discovered Isis, a distant Earth-like planet teeming with alien life. However, every molecule of Isian biology is lethally toxic to humans, making exploration nearly impossible. To overcome this, a genetically engineered girl named Zoe Fisher is created to survive the planet's hostile environment. Sent to Isis as part of a scientific expedition, Zoe must navigate not only the dangers of the planet's ecosystem but also the political machinations of the Earth-based ruling Families who created her. As the mission unravels under the weight of biological catastrophe and human ambition, Zoe's journey becomes one of survival, identity, and revelation.

"Bios" was published in November, 1999, and received a nomination for the 2000 Aurora Award for Best Novel. The novel was praised for its imaginative world-building and philosophical depth, and readers appreciated its blend of hard science fiction and emotional storytelling, with particular attention to its exploration of alien biology and ethical dilemmas in genetic engineering.

Answer: Rob Grant

"Colony" is a darkly comedic tale set aboard the Willflower, a generation ship launched to escape a dying Earth. The story follows Eddie O'Hare, a hapless man who stumbles aboard the ship through a case of mistaken identity. Generations into the voyage, the crew's intelligence has deteriorated, and Eddie - now a disembodied cyborg - awakens to find the mission in chaos. With the ship's society crumbling and a mysterious threat targeting him, Eddie must navigate a dysfunctional future to save what remains of humanity.

"Colony" was published in November, 2000. It marked Grant's first solo novel outside the "Red Dwarf" franchise and was noted for its satirical tone and absurdist humor.

Answer: Carl Sagan

In "Contact," Carl Sagan explores the profound implications of humanity's first encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence. The story follows Dr. Eleanor "Ellie" Arroway, a passionate radio astronomer leading a team at a New Mexico observatory. When her team detects a signal from the star Vega - containing mathematical patterns and blueprints for a mysterious machine - global excitement and controversy erupt. As political, scientific, and religious factions clash over the meaning and purpose of the message, Ellie becomes part of a multinational crew selected to operate the machine, embarking on a journey that challenges her understanding of science, faith, and humanity's place in the cosmos.

"Contact" was published in September, 1985, and became a bestseller, ranking #7 on Publishers Weekly's list that year. It was Carl Sagan's only full-length novel, originally conceived as a screenplay before being adapted into prose. Its popularity led to a successful film adaptation in 1997, starring Jodie Foster, which further cemented its legacy as a landmark in science fiction storytelling.

Answer: Frank Herbert

Set in a distant future where noble houses vie for control of planetary fiefdoms, "Dune" follows young Paul Atreides as his family relocates to the desert planet Arrakis, the universe's sole source of the powerful spice melange. Betrayed by rival House Harkonnen and the Emperor, Paul escapes into the harsh desert and joins the native Fremen, who believe him to be a prophesied messiah. As Paul embraces his destiny, he leads a revolution that reshapes the political and spiritual landscape of the known universe.

"Dune" was first published in October, 1965. Initially serialized in "Analog" magazine, the novel went on to win both the Hugo Award (shared with Roger Zelazny's "This Immortal") and the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966. It has since become one of the best-selling science fiction novels of all time, widely celebrated for its groundbreaking worldbuilding and philosophical depth. In 2025, Frank Herbert was posthumously honored with the SFWA Infinity Award, recognizing his lasting legacy in speculative fiction.

The novel has also been adapted for film (and television), with the first treatment in 1984, directed by David Lynch, and more recently in 2021, with Denis Villeneuve directing. It was also adapted for television, with the first three episodes of "Frank Herbert's Dune" (2000) covering the events of the first novel in the "Dune" series.

Answer: Isaac Asimov

In "Foundation", Isaac Asimov introduces a sweeping saga of the decline and rebirth of a galactic civilization. The story begins with Hari Seldon, a mathematician who develops 'psychohistory', a predictive science that forecasts the inevitable collapse of the Galactic Empire. To preserve human knowledge and shorten the ensuing dark age, Seldon establishes the Foundation on the remote planet Terminus. Told through interconnected stories spanning decades, the novel follows the Foundation's evolution from a scholarly outpost to a rising power, using science, diplomacy, and religion to navigate political threats and fulfill Seldon's long-term plan for a second empire.

"Foundation" was first published as a novel in August, 1951, compiling five previously serialized stories from "Astounding Science Fiction" magazine. The book was groundbreaking in its blend of science fiction with historical and philosophical themes, inspired by Edward Gibbon's "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." In 1966, the original trilogy - "Foundation" (1951), "Foundation and Empire" (1952), and "Second Foundation" (1953) - was awarded the Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series, a rare honor that cemented its status as a cornerstone of the genre.

Answer: Dan Simmons

Set in a distant future where humanity has colonized hundreds of planets, "Hyperion" follows seven pilgrims journeying to the mysterious world of Hyperion, home to the enigmatic Time Tombs and the terrifying, godlike entity known as the Shrike. As war looms and the pilgrims approach their destination, each shares a personal story revealing their connection to the planet and the creature that awaits them. Structured as a series of interwoven narratives inspired by "The Canterbury Tales", the novel explores themes of faith, love, loss, war, and the nature of time, all within a richly imagined universe shaped by advanced technology and philosophical depth.

"Hyperion" was published in 1989 and quickly gained recognition as a landmark in science fiction. It won the 1990 Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, establishing Dan Simmons as a major voice in speculative fiction. The book's innovative narrative structure and genre-blending style earned widespread acclaim, and it remains a cornerstone of modern space opera.

Answer: Larry Niven

In "Ringworld", a team of explorers is assembled to investigate a mysterious megastructure discovered in deep space - a colossal ring encircling a distant star, with a habitable inner surface with an area equivalent to millions of Earths. As they journey to and explore the Ringworld, they encounter technological marvels and signs of a once-great civilization now in decline. The mission quickly becomes a struggle for survival as the team grapples with the Ringworld's instability and the secrets buried within its vast expanse.

"Ringworld" was published in 1970 and quickly became a landmark in science fiction literature. It won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, praised for its imaginative scope and the scientific plausibility of its central concept. Niven's depiction of the Ringworld structure inspired generations of writers and scientists, influencing real-world discussions about megastructures and orbital engineering. The novel is also notable for its blend of hard science fiction with adventurous storytelling, and for introducing readers to the complex universe of 'Known Space' - a setting that would span many of Niven's other works.

Answer: Neal Stephenson

In "Seveneves", humanity is confronted with a catastrophe when the Moon inexplicably shatters, triggering a chain reaction that will render Earth uninhabitable within two years. In response, a global effort is launched to preserve human civilization by sending a small group of survivors into orbit aboard the International Space Station and its rapidly expanding infrastructure. The novel follows the harrowing journey of these survivors as they endure unimaginable hardships, political tensions, and technological challenges in space. Thousands of years later, the descendants of these pioneers return to a transformed Earth, revealing the long-term consequences of humanity's choices and adaptations.

"Seveneves" was published in May, 2015, and received widespread acclaim for its ambitious scope and detailed scientific realism. Critics praised Stephenson's meticulous attention to orbital mechanics, genetic engineering, and sociopolitical dynamics, as well as the novel's bold narrative structure - divided between near-future survival and far-future reconstruction.

Answer: Robert A. Heinlein

In "Universe", a young man named Hugh Hoyland lives aboard a vast generation ship, unaware that his world is a spacecraft traveling through the void. The society within the ship has regressed into superstition and rigid hierarchy, with most inhabitants believing the metal corridors and artificial lights are the entirety of existence. When Hugh discovers the truth - that the ship is on a centuries-long voyage to a distant star - he must confront the deeply ingrained beliefs of his people and decide whether to reveal the reality or preserve the fragile social order. The story explores themes of perception, truth, and the consequences of isolation over generations.

"Universe" was first published in 1941 as part of Heinlein's "Future History" series and was also later included in the fix-up novel "Orphans of the Sky". It was one of the earliest science fiction works to explore the concept of a generation ship and the psychological and cultural effects of long-term space travel. The novella was praised for its philosophical depth and its influence on later depictions of closed-system societies in science fiction. Heinlein's blend of speculative science and social commentary helped establish him as a foundational figure in the genre.