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qalminator's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable, but sometimes draining, as I've found most of Newman's work. She favors MC's with mental difficulties of various stripes—not a complaint, as it's refreshing to see neurodiversity—and I got bogged down enough in the constant gaslighting in this one that I took a break to finish one book and listen to another before continuing.
Okay, so, Anna is sent to Mars a geologist cum artist, and it's obvious right from the start that something is very wrong. I'll put the details of what's wrong in spoiler tags, but, really, it was glaringly obvious; there are soooo many signs that I wanted to yell at the characters sometimes. However, because Anna has low self-confidence (and is subconsciously coping with (real spoiler, though you may be able to guess at it if you read After Atlas)), she continuously doubts herself and gets lost in worrying she's going mad. It's obvious from the get-go that the AI is gaslighting her, and, to some degree, everyone else. The reasons are not at all obvious for most of the book, however.
I was actually a bit disappointed in the final ending, as I thought it would be more interesting. Still, it fits the themes of the first two books, so I wasn't too surprised it headed that way.
Newman's books are ones I have to be in the right mood for. For anyone who has issues with gaslighting: stay away from this one. The mental gyrations are deeply disturbing. However, I am wondering if they would come across differently on a second read, knowing what's coming. I may try that at some point, but not straightaway. Also, this is probably best read in sequence.
Okay, so, Anna is sent to Mars a geologist cum artist, and it's obvious right from the start that something is very wrong. I'll put the details of what's wrong in spoiler tags, but, really, it was glaringly obvious; there are soooo many signs that I wanted to yell at the characters sometimes.
Spoiler
Their memories have been erased. This is not Anna first arriving on Mars. (1) Her body is unusually well-adjusted to the gravity after her long trip, suggesting she's been there for some time; (2) She and the doctor both have strong body-memory of being together, but no actual memory of this; (3) The note Anna left for herself; (4) The replaced wedding ring; (5) The missing canvases and notebooks. For most of the book, I was just rolling my eyes and waiting for this to come out.Spoiler
the nuclear destruction of earthI was actually a bit disappointed in the final ending, as I thought it would be more interesting
Spoiler
to make a go of long-term life on Mars, though it's doubtful they had enough people to create a sustainable population there; maybe the printers can print stored DNA? * shrugs *Newman's books are ones I have to be in the right mood for. For anyone who has issues with gaslighting: stay away from this one. The mental gyrations are deeply disturbing. However, I am wondering if they would come across differently on a second read, knowing what's coming. I may try that at some point, but not straightaway. Also, this is probably best read in sequence.
sausome's review against another edition
5.0
This may be the best book I've read so far this year. An outstanding work of science fiction - incredibly compelling storyline and three dimensional characters. I haven't read any of the previous books and was frankly surprised there were others - that is too say, this book can definitely stand on its own. The technological advances of society were fascinating and believable; the AI entity definitely gave a "2001" Hal vibe; the question of mental health, internal chip manipulation, "immersive" memory, or someone masterfully controlling things kept me constantly guessing and wondering what it could be. Dr. Anna Kubrin's self evaluation of her depression and disconnect with being a mother were so so refreshing in a world where women are still made to feel that giving birth can be their only purpose and must be the source of supreme happiness.
Everything about this book was fantastic, will look forward to other books by this author.
Everything about this book was fantastic, will look forward to other books by this author.
ninjamike's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredible.
It's not a plot-heavy book. It is very, very character heavy, and it seems like this puts some people off because there is a lot of introspection while the plot slowly moves forward. I think this is a strength of the book, not a weakness as the I really understa
While it is not strictly necessary to read the first 2 books before this one as they aren't direct continuations, I feel like you gain a lot of context about how the world works, especially from the second one, that really helps you understand why the characters may be the way they are and why they choose certain actions.
Also, read the whole series because they are all amazing, but again super heavy on character development.
It's not a plot-heavy book. It is very, very character heavy, and it seems like this puts some people off because there is a lot of introspection while the plot slowly moves forward. I think this is a strength of the book, not a weakness as the I really understa
While it is not strictly necessary to read the first 2 books before this one as they aren't direct continuations, I feel like you gain a lot of context about how the world works, especially from the second one, that really helps you understand why the characters may be the way they are and why they choose certain actions.
Also, read the whole series because they are all amazing, but again super heavy on character development.
hanz's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Death, Child death, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Infidelity and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Suicide attempt
justiceofkalr's review against another edition
4.0
My only minor issue with this book was the timing of the message at the very end when they’re deciding what to do. It just seemed too neatly convenient that she got the message while they were having their plan the future meeting. Other than that, everything about this was fantastic and tied in really great with the other two books. I love this series so so much. Also, I highly recommend the audiobook.
ekpickell's review
4.0
I really like figuring out how the books are connected. The writer does an amazing job with the character in this book. I love this series!
lindy_b's review against another edition
3.0
Lacking in both the depth of character of [b:Planetfall|24237785|Planetfall (Planetfall, #1)|Emma Newman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424627926s/24237785.jpg|43823353] or the breakneck pace of [b:After Atlas|28361265|After Atlas (Planetfall, #2)|Emma Newman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456689269s/28361265.jpg|48430277], Before Mars is a decent addition to the series that makes me anxious to see if and how Emma Newman will finish it all up. I appreciated the stuff about alienation from motherhood/womanhood more generally, but both the hook and major revelation are oddly similar to a story I wrote in seventh grade after reading ten PKD stories in a weekend, which is to say, not interesting to me at this point, especially considering the middle section also gave me [b:Solaris|95558|Solaris|Stanisław Lem|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498631519s/95558.jpg|3333881] vibes.
chirson's review against another edition
3.0
A gutting and unputdownable book. I found its pacing annoying - the plot twists were simple to guess, and then the book took a while to let the characters catch up, and there was entirely too much padding - but the protagonist is fascinating and the plot makes up for that.
And I felt like it wasn't just Anna but the novel going back and forth on Charlie - is he an abusive monster who sabotaged his fertility meds to get Anna pregnant (a mark of serious abuse!) or just a guy she's not well matched with? I feel like if it's the former, how can he be ever trusted with Mia?
I wish I knew when to expect #5, because I must know what happens next.
Spoiler
I really appreciated being in Anna's head, and the rare representation Newman includes, even as I found the protagonist difficult and frustrating. I kept being annoyed with her, not for feeling the way she felt, but rather - for seemingly having no awareness of the phenomena she was experiencing. Has she never heard of postpartum depression? It felt strange that certain types of mental health problems were discussed and named in the novel (like dissociation) and Anna, a veteran of mental health care, somehow avoids the diagnosis.And I felt like it wasn't just Anna but the novel going back and forth on Charlie - is he an abusive monster who sabotaged his fertility meds to get Anna pregnant (a mark of serious abuse!) or just a guy she's not well matched with? I feel like if it's the former, how can he be ever trusted with Mia?
I wish I knew when to expect #5, because I must know what happens next.
grid's review against another edition
4.0
I complained several times about the mother-stuff in this book. After finishing the book, I read the afterward, which mentions postpartum depression, and I feel bad for having done so. I get that it was a major part of this character, but it went on too long for my tastes and was just generally not that pleasant to read. But it’s important and I’m glad it’s there.
Anyway, I liked a lot of the other aspects of this book, even if I also found the main “mystery” to be entirely too predictable. It was still interesting, and definitely a fast read.
Anyway, I liked a lot of the other aspects of this book, even if I also found the main “mystery” to be entirely too predictable. It was still interesting, and definitely a fast read.
alina_leonova's review against another edition
5.0
Characters
Anna Kubrin - a geologist and artist who has been sent to Mars - is the main character. As is typical of all the Planetfall books, the story is told in the first person through her point of view. It's also a typical thing that Anna is struggling with some issues and is brilliantly fleshed out. We get to know her intimately thanks to the depth of Emma Newman's writing. Other characters are the crew living on the Mars base, each of them is unique and feels real.
World-building
Emma Newman has created an immersive, well-researched world, depicting various aspects of living on Mars. A lot of the tech is common for the Planetfall world, some of it is specific to Mars. Again, extensive world-building and interesting technology is something I've come to associate with author's style. The book can be classified as hard sci-fi.
Plot
The plot is straightforward, even though it's told in a non-linear way and a lot of information is provided through flashbacks, memories and immersive recordings that Anna watches (which is again something typical of Emma Newman's style, at least in the Planetfall series).
Impressions
I loved the book. Even though I deduced part of the mystery early on from the previous novels in the series, it still had a lot to offer and surprise me with. The book can be read as a standalone, and I believe it can be more unpredictable this way.
The flaws and struggles of the main character are the focus of the story along with the Martian mystery. Anna Kubrin struggles with her motherhood and marriage. Through her, the author creates a compelling and profound portrayal of postnatal depression.
You might enjoy the book if you are into Mars, high-tech, sci-fi thrillers and liked other Planetfall books. You can also start with this book and see if you want to proceed with the series.
Check out my website about sci-fi by women and non-binary authors for more reviews, lists, interviews, short stories and more.
Anna Kubrin - a geologist and artist who has been sent to Mars - is the main character. As is typical of all the Planetfall books, the story is told in the first person through her point of view. It's also a typical thing that Anna is struggling with some issues and is brilliantly fleshed out. We get to know her intimately thanks to the depth of Emma Newman's writing. Other characters are the crew living on the Mars base, each of them is unique and feels real.
World-building
Emma Newman has created an immersive, well-researched world, depicting various aspects of living on Mars. A lot of the tech is common for the Planetfall world, some of it is specific to Mars. Again, extensive world-building and interesting technology is something I've come to associate with author's style. The book can be classified as hard sci-fi.
Plot
The plot is straightforward, even though it's told in a non-linear way and a lot of information is provided through flashbacks, memories and immersive recordings that Anna watches (which is again something typical of Emma Newman's style, at least in the Planetfall series).
Impressions
I loved the book. Even though I deduced part of the mystery early on from the previous novels in the series, it still had a lot to offer and surprise me with. The book can be read as a standalone, and I believe it can be more unpredictable this way.
The flaws and struggles of the main character are the focus of the story along with the Martian mystery. Anna Kubrin struggles with her motherhood and marriage. Through her, the author creates a compelling and profound portrayal of postnatal depression.
You might enjoy the book if you are into Mars, high-tech, sci-fi thrillers and liked other Planetfall books. You can also start with this book and see if you want to proceed with the series.
Check out my website about sci-fi by women and non-binary authors for more reviews, lists, interviews, short stories and more.