Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
I want to preface this by saying I didn't read any other Planetfall series books but this one. I was very interested in the premise, a geologist/artist going to Mars and being tangled up in some type of mystery or conspiracy.
This book totally delivered! I really enjoyed the thrilling set up, and the very interesting flashbacks to society on Earth. I thought the postpartum-no-instalove-for-baby was a bit repetitive...I would have wished for less introspection and more action; I would have given it 4.5 stars had it delivered that.
I might go and have a look at the other books of the series now that I'm so compelled with the way life functions on earth in this future society.
This book totally delivered! I really enjoyed the thrilling set up, and the very interesting flashbacks to society on Earth. I thought the postpartum-no-instalove-for-baby was a bit repetitive...I would have wished for less introspection and more action; I would have given it 4.5 stars had it delivered that.
I might go and have a look at the other books of the series now that I'm so compelled with the way life functions on earth in this future society.
If you like your science fiction to be intimately psychological, Emma Newman's your gal. A huge amount of this book is internal to the main character, while further fleshing out the gov-corp-run, AI-heavy (possibly very prescient) world Newman has built over the course of the series. Of the 3, I think I still prefer After Atlas for its multi-genre mashup, but Before Mars is good stuff.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Before Mars" is part of Emma Newman's Planetfall Novel series, something I didn't realize before I began the book (it is actually book three in the series, I think). I'm happy that I didn't let that fact discourage me from reading "Before Mars," however, because "Before Mars" turns out to be the kind of science fiction novel that I most enjoy: one that is about much more than its setting and futuristic inventions and the like.
This is the story of a four-person team located on the face of Mars to do scientific investigation for one of the richest men on planet Earth. When the man sends an artist/geologist to do paintings on Mars that he will be able to market for a fortune back on earth, the team seems to come apart at the seams. And Anna, the artist, becomes more and more certain that the four are conspiring against her - and that if she doesn't figure out why she is so resented, her very life may just be in danger.
"Before Mars" is combination mystery, psychological novel, and science fiction novels - and it takes the best aspects of each genre to come up with one of the best science fiction novels I've read in years. If your favorite science fiction does not require flesh-eating monsters, little green men, and flying saucers, you will like this one. "Before Mars" really is very, very good.
This is the story of a four-person team located on the face of Mars to do scientific investigation for one of the richest men on planet Earth. When the man sends an artist/geologist to do paintings on Mars that he will be able to market for a fortune back on earth, the team seems to come apart at the seams. And Anna, the artist, becomes more and more certain that the four are conspiring against her - and that if she doesn't figure out why she is so resented, her very life may just be in danger.
"Before Mars" is combination mystery, psychological novel, and science fiction novels - and it takes the best aspects of each genre to come up with one of the best science fiction novels I've read in years. If your favorite science fiction does not require flesh-eating monsters, little green men, and flying saucers, you will like this one. "Before Mars" really is very, very good.
Strong start, with an opening mystery that is compelling, and creepy. The main character feels real, and struggles with an emotional reaction to her past that is common, but rarely talked about, which feels authentic.
My only criticism is that the latter half of the book moves very quickly, so you have a slow setup, and a very fast resolution. That said, it tees up the next in the series well, and has me interested enough to keep reading.
My only criticism is that the latter half of the book moves very quickly, so you have a slow setup, and a very fast resolution. That said, it tees up the next in the series well, and has me interested enough to keep reading.
Emma Newman's writing is completely inside my head in a way unlike any other books I've read.
really did not care for the long self-absorbed reflections on marriage and unwanted kid that punctuated this. also, does require having read prequels despite some reviews saying no.
Not bad. Its relationship to the Planetfall novels is a little bit of an enigma for most of the narrative - one can definitely read it as stand-alone, though I've a feeling the next is going to tie things together a lot.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes