Phytosphere is a tale of alien invasion and postapocalyptic survival in the distant future. And, why yes, it is a good combination.

When negotiations for immigration rights fail, the alien Tarsalans surround the Earth with a mysterious green, light-blocking shroud, dubbed the phytosphere. The Tarsalans consider the phytosphere a teaching tool, while Earth considers it a declaration of war. The action follows the Thorndike brothers, Gerry and Neil, as they try to discover a way to eliminate the phytosphere. Gerry is on the moon when the Phytosphere is put into place while Neil is on the Earth. Also stuck on the Earth is Gerry's family, wife Glenda and their two children.

The group on the moon trying to discover a way to eliminate the phytosphere follows Gerry's leadership at first, while on the Earth, Neil, Gerry's arrogant brother and scientific advisor to the president, summarily discounts any information that comes from the moon, believing he is the only one who could possibly discover a solution. The back and forth debate on how to destroy the phytosphere between the brothers could have easily become boring but Mackay keeps the story moving along by following Glenda and her children's harrowing tale of survival amidst chaos as society breaks down. Glenda's story really is the more compelling one until the end, and it creates some real tension and a sense urgency for one of the brother's to discover a solution.

Personally, I appreciated the hard science fiction elements along with the postapocalyptic tale. Mackay expertly wove the stories of the various characters together. The main characters were well developed and the suspense kept building right up to the end. (While I could get nit-picky over a few minor details, following my suggestions wouldn't have made the story any better.)
Highly Recommended; http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/
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These kinds of books never cease to amaze me. Maybe because I’m into bleak books and the struggle to survival is something I look to enjoy for an entertaining read. Although, sometimes I get these types of books and read them so that I can learn to appreciate what’s around me more and to not take things for granted all the time (in other words, so I can learn how to count my blessings once in a while). You certainly feel this way when you read through Phytosphere. Naturally of course, this is something that’s virtually impossible to picture happening to us (although, you’ll never know!). Yet the lessons are still noted and although not fully learned, you do feel as if you need to appreciate something, or someone to feel good after reading this book.

It’s pretty bleak. Especially with Glenda and her kids. The moments where she confronts the ‘policemen’ are especially chilling and very realistic. I cannot quite picture how I would deal with this situation myself, but Glenda proves to be strong and manages to keep it together with her children. It’s admirable and although the kids play cliched roles, the story arc involving them and Glenda provides a good read. You can also feel the frustration and helplessness of Gerry as he’s millions of miles away (literally) and his much more ‘smarter’ and more successful brother undermines Gerry’s ideas, refuses to listen to him and persuades others to ignore them. It’s a little obvious to the reader what might befall Neil (Gerry’s brother) in the end, but you can’t help but feel that certain satisfaction when it does happen.

There are quite a number of thrilling action moments, which makes the reading of this book go faster and more exciting. I would have to say, although the majority of the plot is very good and I had fun reading it, it just sounds too cliche and could make for a cheesy sci fi flick shown on television. Also, although there was a good description on the Tarsalans and their behavior I wanted to know more about them. There wasn’t much information except they wanted access to Earth and have been negotiating with regards to immigration. There’s a bit of information given here and there throughout the novel but it still doesn’t feel like a complete explanation. Unless there’s a book that precedes the events before Phytosphere (which I am not aware of, and if there is one, please let me know) it feels as if there’s information lacking and you’re left with a tidbit of information on the aliens when there should have been more offered to round out the story a bit more.

A cliche storyline, with its thrilling moments, and its bleak moments. A few holes in the plot, however with all of this, the book is still worth a read. Do give this a try. It’s worth it, just for an entertaining read. ( )

This was a pretty cool story. A large group of aliens have tried to migrate to earth, but humans have denied them, so in retaliation the aliens have shrouded the earth in a dark green phytosphere, completely blocking out the sun and turning the earth into a dark, abysmal "post-apocalyptic" wasteland, where most of the earths vegatation has decayed and the remaining humans are killing eachother over meager food supplies. There are multiple points of view, a mother of two children who suffers on earth and fills in the "apocalypse" sections of the book, her husband, a scientest trapped on the moon, covers the science fiction parts as he tries to figure out how to destroy the shroud, and his brother, which is a combination of both, as he is a scientest also trying to figure out the phytosphere, but he is trapped on earth and must deal with a world gone mad.

I read it quick because I honestly couldn't stop myself from just reading that 1 more chapter (even though it always turned into 2, and 3...and sometimes 4) and it didn't even have to use abrupt, suspenseful chapter endings to make me feel that way. Maybe it wasn't the most complex book I've eve read, but I really liked the story, and cared a lot about the characters. Great book in my opinion if you are a fan of either science fiction or apocalypse lit. ( )

Scott Mackay likes to write about the intersection of different cultures, about the way that when two alien ways of thinking meet, good can happen, but more often one or another culture is warped from its comfortable position. In the first novel of his I read, Tides, two species of intelligent beings encountered one another on an alien world. In Phytosphere, Mackay continues to write about the intersections of cultures, but this time much closer to home.

Mankind has made it to the inner planets. Mercury, Mars and the Moon have all been settled and, if not tamed, at least pose little threat anymore. But then an interstellar alien race arrives seeking to immigrate to the fair planet all humans originate from, Earth. When it is found that humanity and their alien visitors cannot reach an accord that would allow the Tarsalans to emigrate, they respond by placing a shroud – the phytosphere - over the earth. Doing so causes the planet to cool and plants to die. The fate of earth rests in the hands of two scientist brothers. One, an acknowledged genius and political animal is trapped on earth, but has all the resources of humanity at his command. The other, a former alcoholic trapped on the moon with scant resources and separated from his family. Each brother works to end the plight of the phytosphere and in so doing learns a lot about the value of success, family, and honor.

Mackay continues to astound in his writing. What seems like a simple (even simplistic) plot at the outset turns into something much greater. Phytosphere is a look at the human condition, particularly our ability to choose right and wrong. Mackay’s writing is meticulous, never wasting words and always keeping the action and introspection at the right levels. Phytosphere is an action-adventure story, but it also asks provocative questions about the human psyche and interpersonal relationships.

Full Review at Grasping for the Wind ( )

The phytosphere is brought about by aliens who want to settle on earth. Two brothers are the only ones who seem to be able to do anything to save earth from the disaster.A bit cheesy but a nice light read. ( )