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danaisreading 's review for:

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
2.0
challenging slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was a big slog for me and I won't be reading the rest of the trilogy. There were parts that were interesting, such as Nadia's and Boone's chapters, and I enjoyed reading them. There were other parts,  I skimmed long enough to turn the page. I don't think I missed anything important.

I don't understand why the book started with Boone's murder and then went back in time to the beginning of the Ares mission through the first 30-40 years or so of colonization.  There's no other discussion or "solving" of the murder, so it's not a hook at all. Considering how important Boone was supposed to be to the Mars colonies, it seems strange that it wasn't more of a major plot point.


This was the first book of Robinson's that I've read, and I have several others in my TBR wish list. I'm now  hesitant to read the others, for fear of more disappointing reads.