Revolt in the Ice Empire

"Revolt in the Ice Empire" by Ray Cummings is a science fiction novel written during the early 20th century. The story revolves around an exploratory space mission to the icy asteroid of Zura, where the crew discovers both a resource known as Xalite and a complex society ruled by a young woman named Tara, the product of a previous Earth expedition. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of ambition, betrayal, and the struggle for power, highlighting the clash between ideals of utopia and the harsh realities of human nature. The plot centers on John Taine, a mechanic who embarks on a journey to Zura with Dr. Livingston and their crew to harvest Xalite, a valuable element. Upon reaching Zura, they encounter Tara, who has been raised by her father, an Earthman who sought to establish a perfect society on Zura but failed miserably. As tensions rise among the crew and within the Zurian community itself, a revolt against Tara’s rule erupts, leading to chaos and tragedy. The story explores themes of betrayal, the consequences of misguided ideals, and the complexities of human relationships, ultimately culminating in a daring escape back to Earth, where the characters must grapple with both their past and the uncertain future. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ray Cummings was an American author of science fiction literature and comic books.