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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
I enjoyed the first two in the series more than this one. It was slow to get going and grab my interest. I'm not sure if that is actually because of the book or if it is because I don't seem to be reading as much right now. It did pick up in the last 100 pages. I do want to read the next in the series.
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
there is something about Emma Newman's writing i find compulsively readible. i flew through this novel (like i did the other two in the series lbr). this takes place at approx the same time as After Atlas, set on mars, and delves into one conspiracy theory after another with a protagonist battling with her own sense of self. really really great. this series as a whole is just excellent near future scifi.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some good writing but not really the sort of book that grabs me.
This is, for me, the perfect example of a story that would have made a great short story/novella...but instead it ends up being a mediocre book that just repeats itself over and over and drags on and on. The resolution to the mystery was easily guessed right in the beginning and I'm not one that tries to guess the ending...so that's saying something. So just ok for me in the end. I did not read any other books in the series...but I dont think that would have altered my enjoyment of this as I never felt lost or like I was missing anything...just bored...
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free for this book and all others in the Planetfall series.
I make no secret of the fact that Emma Newman is one of my favourite authors. I absolutely loved the first two books in her Planetfall series, Planetfall and After Atlas, so I had faith in the fact that I’d also love Before Mars. Each Planetfall book is a little different, and Before Mars is no exception with its gripping psychological thriller plot. I ended up absolutely adoring this book and falling back in love with the sci-fi genre, which I have been neglecting for a long time.
What I love so much about Newman’s books is that her focus is on her complex characters. Sure, there are exciting plots and action in her books, especially in a psychological thriller like Before Mars, but my attention is totally on the characters and how they react to the various situations they’re in. For me, this kind of sci-fi, akin to Becky Chambers and Temi Oh, is exactly what I love to read.
Anna is a fantastic, complicated, and totally refreshing character -- I love the fact that she is aware of her status as an unreliable narrator throughout the book. She feels she cannot trust her own brain, but at the same time knows what she sees and what she experiences -- the question is, of course, what is real and what is in her head? I found her incredibly compelling, particularly in her life before she arrives on Mars and the internal conflict it brings her. As a new mother who has had to leave her family behind on Earth in order to pursue a great opportunity, she has so many intricate layers. Her job as a geologist, her growing hobby as a painter, and her role as a mother don’t overpower each other -- she’s an incredibly well-balanced female character and I appreciate that so much -- I don't think I've ever read a book with a character quite like her.
Like all reviews of psychological thrillers, I’m going to cut this short because the best thing you can do is go in blind. This thrilling science fiction read is full of cool tech and space travel, but also features the emotion and excellent mental health representation that makes Newman's books stand out from the crowd. Regardless of whether you're a seasoned sci-fi reader or a fan of psychological thrillers, I think any reader will find something to love in Before Mars.
As an aside, most of the books in the Planetfall series can be read independently of each other, but I’d highly recommend you read them all in order anyway, as I think you'll really get the most out of them. If you're interested, you can hear Emma talk more about this series here!
CW: Postpartum depression, psychosis
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free for this book and all others in the Planetfall series.
I make no secret of the fact that Emma Newman is one of my favourite authors. I absolutely loved the first two books in her Planetfall series, Planetfall and After Atlas, so I had faith in the fact that I’d also love Before Mars. Each Planetfall book is a little different, and Before Mars is no exception with its gripping psychological thriller plot. I ended up absolutely adoring this book and falling back in love with the sci-fi genre, which I have been neglecting for a long time.
What I love so much about Newman’s books is that her focus is on her complex characters. Sure, there are exciting plots and action in her books, especially in a psychological thriller like Before Mars, but my attention is totally on the characters and how they react to the various situations they’re in. For me, this kind of sci-fi, akin to Becky Chambers and Temi Oh, is exactly what I love to read.
Anna is a fantastic, complicated, and totally refreshing character -- I love the fact that she is aware of her status as an unreliable narrator throughout the book. She feels she cannot trust her own brain, but at the same time knows what she sees and what she experiences -- the question is, of course, what is real and what is in her head? I found her incredibly compelling, particularly in her life before she arrives on Mars and the internal conflict it brings her. As a new mother who has had to leave her family behind on Earth in order to pursue a great opportunity, she has so many intricate layers. Her job as a geologist, her growing hobby as a painter, and her role as a mother don’t overpower each other -- she’s an incredibly well-balanced female character and I appreciate that so much -- I don't think I've ever read a book with a character quite like her.
Like all reviews of psychological thrillers, I’m going to cut this short because the best thing you can do is go in blind. This thrilling science fiction read is full of cool tech and space travel, but also features the emotion and excellent mental health representation that makes Newman's books stand out from the crowd. Regardless of whether you're a seasoned sci-fi reader or a fan of psychological thrillers, I think any reader will find something to love in Before Mars.
As an aside, most of the books in the Planetfall series can be read independently of each other, but I’d highly recommend you read them all in order anyway, as I think you'll really get the most out of them. If you're interested, you can hear Emma talk more about this series here!
CW: Postpartum depression, psychosis
Before Mars is a beautiful and twisted book. I recommend it for the psychological thriller aspect, as well as the honest depiction of a woman struggling with motherhood. On the other hand, I also found it extremely difficult to read since I guessed the not-so-happy ending (you can quickly match the timeline up with the ending of the previous book). It was really sad and hard for me to read.
My favorite in the series so far.
If you liked the character driven aspects of Planetfall, you'll love this. So much of the main character resonated with me, to the point that she spelled out my exact worst fear on a page. I love that Newman decided to highlight a different view of motherhood, and I think this book is incredibly important for that alone.
If you liked the character driven aspects of Planetfall, you'll love this. So much of the main character resonated with me, to the point that she spelled out my exact worst fear on a page. I love that Newman decided to highlight a different view of motherhood, and I think this book is incredibly important for that alone.