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A review by qalminator
Before Mars by Emma Newman
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.