The Mars House by Natasha Pulley- Book review

In the wake of environmental catastrophe, January, once a principal in London’s Royal Ballet, has become a refugee on Tharsis, the terraformed colony on Mars. In Tharsis, January’s life is dictated by his status as an Earthstronger—a person whose body is not adjusted to Mars’s lower gravity and so poses a danger to those born on, or naturalized to, Mars. January’s job choices, housing, and even transportation options are dictated by this second-class status, and now a xenophobic politician named Aubrey Gale is running on a platform that would make it all worse: Gale wants all Earthstrongers to be surgically naturalized, a process that can be anything from disabling to deadly.
When Gale chooses January for an on-the-spot press junket interview that goes horribly awry, January’s life is thrown into chaos, but Gale’s political fortunes are damaged, too. Gale proposes a solution to both their problems: a five-year made-for-the-press marriage that would secure January’s financial future without naturalization and ensure Gale’s political future. But when January accepts the offer, he discovers that Gale is not at all like they appear in the press. And worse, soon, January finds himself entangled in political and personal events well beyond his imagining. Gale has an enemy, someone willing to destroy all of Tharsis to make them pay—and January may be the only person standing in the way.

Thank you Net Galley and Orion Books for my ecopy- published on the 19th of March 2024

Review

I enjoyed the slow- burn romance and world-building in The Mars House by Natasha Pulley, a queer sci-fi.

Read more: The Mars House by Natasha Pulley- Book review

I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.

The worlds of a future earth devastated by climate change and the new and evolving society on Mars are beautiful and intricate in its description. The first few chapters where January lives his life in a London under water is almost poetic with boats floating under the dome of St Paul’s cathedral but the horror of this eventually sinks in- this is a dying city. This is complete contrast to the high tech world of Mars where people are physically connected to a kind of internet and can have real-life filters on their images.

January becomes a climate refugee, moving to Mars where he meets persistent discrimination and demonisation. This description again is thoughtful and descriptive mirroring what we read about today. The fact the only way he can avoid undergoing a painful, physical transformation to survive on Mars is to agree to an arranged marriage with the person who ruined his life is horrifying.

But the slow friendship and romance that blossoms between these two very different people is the heart of this book but there is also an underlying mystery, What did Aubrey do to River, his brother? How can Aubrey be so kind and nice and then insist people from Earth are dangerous?

The story and plot move gently, and I loved the writing with it’s gentle humour and there were times I wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on particularly  when the pollical shenanigans between Aubrey and his rival came into play. But the  action soon picks up with unsuspected reveals and  an explosive and satisfying finish.

Perfect for Fans for

The Lymond Chronicles ( review here), Winter Orbit ( Review here)

Furious Heaven ( Book 2 of The Sun Chronicles) by Kate Elliott- Book review

Furious Heaven by Kate Elliott for everything I hoped it would be- here is my review of this epic space opera.

The Republic of Chaonia fleets under the joint command of Princess Sun and her formidable mother, Queen-Marshal Eirene, have defeated and driven out an invading fleet of the Phene Empire, although not without heavy losses. But the Empire remains strong and undeterred. While Chaonia scrambles to rebuild its military, the Empire’s rulers are determined to squash Chaonia once and for all by any means necessary.
On the eve of Eirene’s bold attack on the rich and populous Karnos System, an unexpected tragedy strikes the republic. Sun must take charge or lose the throne. Will Sun be content with the pragmatic path laid out by her mother for Chaonia’s future? Or will she forge her own legend despite all the forces arrayed against her?

Review ( Includes spoilers for Unconquerable Sun ( review here)

Furious Heaven by Kate Elliot was everything I hoped it would. The second book of The Sun Chronicles was an action-packed space drama.

I have seen this described as a gender reversed story of Alexander The Great set in space but I think it is so much more than this.

Hi

I love reading  especially science fiction and fantasy but will read any book including historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and non-fiction ( well any book except romance). If I’m not reading, I’m usually running slowly, crocheting, or watching fantasy or sci-fi on tv while trying to finish writing my book.

Why create another blog about books?

During the pandemic, I was desperate to find books that were part of a good series or trilogy after devouring the Witcher books which I didn’t expect to like. I love the feeling of finishing a book and knowing that I can pick up the next book and fall back into the same world with the same characters but there was little out there.

 So I thought why not start a blog about books in series, duology, or trilogy- which ones to read, which ones to avoid, which book to stop at when the series loses its way, and which ones to keep reading even though the first book isn’t so good.

I will be reviewing new books and series, some old ones and some really old ones, and hope I can find some new books along the way.

Do you have any recommendations or ideas on good fantasy or science fiction series or trilogies?