MOST of today's science fiction is about as exciting and innovative as the Russian space programme. Thankfully, we still have Ben Bova. He is carrying on the tradition set by Isaac Asimov and Arthur C Clarke for exploring new ideas and futuristic concepts.

The author of the Mars and Moonbase sagas has turned to a new phase of space exploration in his latest offering, Jupiter (Hodder and Stoughton hardback, £16.99). It is set in a future where oppressive religion has taken over government and clawed the planet Earth back from lawlessness and chaos. But their power is based on the blind belief that God exists and the scriptures are undeniably true.

The New Morality spies are everywhere, especially among the scientists who are exploring new worlds in the relentless search for intelligent life.

In this tale of Darwinism in the future, scientists face the same charges of heresy if they dare reach conclusions that would contradict the church's teachings that God created man alone.

Those teachings are about to be shattered by an expedition into the boundless, boiling oceans of Jupiter.

A race is on to complete the mission before New Morality police can arrive from Earth to shut it down. On board is a young scientist planted by the religious leaders of Earth and whose mission is to reassure them that no intelligent life exists. But he went to Jupiter with an open mind and he is about to tell his masters something that will truly shatter their convictions.

Bill Hearld