Deepsix

A convoy of ships filled with scientists is headed for a once-in-a-millenium event: a gas giant is going to swallow a planet. An uninhabited planet, it is thought; until Priscilla Hutchins and her crew discover signs of a civilization inthe world below.

Much excitement follows: a self-important journalist decides to jaunt down to the planet hours before the annihilation, using the only other lander in the fleet. It goes badly, as is almost guaranteed in a space opera book.

Despite the feeling that we know it's all going to go wrong, it goes wrong in a particularly ingenious way, and getting out of it involves some high-level hijinks. A breathless ride, and well worth it.