Before Mars

Emma Newman
Before Mars Cover

Before Mars

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6/13/2019
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This is a tantalizing standalone mystery set on the Red Planet, with a complex, relatable main character and good science backing up the worldbuilding. This series was on my 2020 Hugo Best Series ballot, and this novel is my favorite of the four novels which have been published in it thus far.

The mystery gradually unfolds as the story builds up well to the final revelations and the main character's investigation of troubling inconsistencies and strange events reveals a devastating truth.

It's not necessary to read the first two books before reading this one. (There are a few passing references to events in the other books, and a bit of a spoiler for one of them.) I did really enjoy both of the preceding books, though, and I do recommend reading them at some point if not done before this novel.