Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Before Mars (A Planetfall Novel)

Another piece to the Peacefinder timeline

Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2023

You know right away that something is off with Dr Kubric’s presence on Mars. The challenge to the reader is to figure out the ‘what’ before the ‘how and why’. In a semi-dystopian world that’s governed by Corporations with advanced tech that’s not so far off from where we’re currently heading, you get tantalizing pieces of the puzzle that let you play out different scenarios in your mind as you go.

If my suppositions bore fruit without catching me by any great jaw dropping surprise, it doesn’t diminish the pleasure of reading how the story unfolds and how it ends up dovetailing with the first two books in the series.

The best compliment I can give this book is I’m sorely tempted to jump right into book four without pause.

The worst thing I can say about it is the epilogue leaves a principle character hanging in a way that feels gratuitous. Then again, maybe she shows up in Book 4… I’ll know soon enough.

Recommended for those who like dystopian settings WITHOUT gory first-hand bloodshed and WITH a good measure of inner struggle in a flawed protagonist.

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Waites Family

*Review from The Illustrated Page*

Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2018

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While Before Mars is the third book in Emma Newman’s Planetfall series, it has a completely new protagonist and functions as a stand alone. You don’t need to have read the prior two novels, but if you’re interested, they’re Planetfall and After Atlas.

Anna Kubrin is a geologist, but that’s not why she’s sent to Mars; she’s also an artist, and the wealthy executive who owns all rights to planets has plans to sell her paintings for a fortune. So, when Anna on the Mars base, it’s not completely unpredictable that she encounters some animosity and doubts as to her scientific background. Only… that’s just the tip of the iceberg. She also finds a note written in her own handwriting, telling her not to trust the base psychologist, and her wedding ring has been replaced with a near-identical copy. As far as she can tell, there’s only two explanations: she’s caught up in a giant conspiracy, or, more likely, she’s finally gone insane, falling victim to the same paranoia and hallucinations that afflicted her father.

I don’t think I enjoyed Before Mars quite as much as the other two books. But I really, really loved both Planetfall and After Atlas, so that’s not much of a slight on Before Mars. Why did I like it less? I think a large aspect is that, having read After Atlas, I already knew a fairly sizable plot twist that happens near the end. If you’ve read After Atlas, you’ll know what I mean. If you haven’t… well, I bet you’ll never see it coming.

The other reason is that the pacing wasn’t exactly right for me. Again, not that it was bad! There were just a few moments where I caught myself wishing things were moving faster. A large part of the book is Anna turning over different discoveries in her mind, trying to figure out if they’re real or hallucinations. Occasionally, these scenes went slightly too long for me, although I do think they’re important to the overall story.

All the books in this series deal with mental health issues, a topic I’d love to see more of in science fiction. Besides Anna wondering if she’s becoming paranoid or suffering hallucinations, she’s also dealing with postnatal depression and an unhealthy marriage. She didn’t feel that instantaneous connection that so many other mothers discuss, and she struggles with not feeling like she fits into society’s conceptions of motherhood (and additionally, the way once a woman gives birth, her identity is flattened into “mother”). It’s a topic I’ve never seen addressed in a science fiction or fantasy novel before, I’m so glad Emma Newman made this choice.

Before Mars is a character focused story that’s set alongside a science fiction mystery. The conspiracy elements are intriguing — what happened to her wedding ring? Did she really write the note? If so, why can’t she remember it? But the true draw to the novel is the character of Anna, who may be on an entirely different planet but is still wrestling with her past on Earth.

Before Mars may not have reached the same heights as After Atlas or Planetfall for me, but it’s still a wonderful book that I’m very glad to have read. This series is unlike anything else out there and consistently of stupendous quality. I’m so glad there’ll be a fourth novel!

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The Captain

The Captain's Log

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018

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Ahoy there mateys! This is the second companion novel to the wonderful sci-fi novel planetfall which continues to linger in me thoughts as being a super pleasurable previous read. As a companion novel, the books can be read in any order even though personally I am glad I read them in publishing order. Planetfall showed the story of a human colony on a remote alien planet far far from Earth. Book two, after atlas, is a sci-fi murder mystery novel set on Earth forty years after Atlas has left the planet.

This third installment involves Anna Kubrick, a geologist by trade and artist by hobby. She has been sent to Mars by her employers primarily because of her art. Her billionaire boss, who owns all rights to Mars, wants her to be the first person to paint the scenery of Mars while there so that it can sell to the highest bidder back home. When Anna gets to Mars, she finds surprising hostility from some of the crew members. Matters are further confused when she finds a note of warning in her room that appears to be written in her own hand! Is she going crazy or is there something more sinister going on?

Anna is a conflicted figure who cannot decide if she wants to be on Mars or back home with her family. She feels both fake and smothered from society's expectations. Her background makes her fear that she might be headed towards mental breakdown. And she is suffering from post-natal syndrome. Reading about her troubles as an overlay on top of the mysterious situation from Mars was hard at times. Anna is a very sympathetic character and also a very strong one.

Mental health is a hard issue and from outside it seems a bit easy to see some of the problems on Mars. The reader could guess at some of the problems and their corresponding solutions. But Anna's genuine confusion and self-doubt is real. Did she make the right choices? Is her life a lie? Is she a useless mother? Why isn't she like everyone else?

Like the other two books, this is a very character-driven story. As I had guessed a lot of the mystery, I found the ending to be less than exciting even though I didn't know any of the finer details. But the story is compelling, the characterization is fantastic, and the world-building as great as ever.

I believe there is going to be another story set in this world in 2019. While waiting, do pick up any of the Planetfall books and treat yerself to a delightful story.

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Sy

a wonderful book in a wonderful series

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2018

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I have read all the other books in this series, and am extremely impressed by this author. I truly enjoyed all of them, and will be anxiously waiting for any other work Ms Newman will offer us in the future.
As for all the books, you don't NEED to read the previous books to enjoy each of them, but it sure helps, and they are excellent books anyway so why shortchange yourself? Start with Planetfall and work your way through the series, you won't be disappointed.
As the title suggests, this story takes place on the Mars station other books hinted to. The station is owned by the uber-evil Gabor corporation we encountered before. The protagonist that tells the story in the first person is a geologist/artist contracted by Gabor to produce the first paintings of Mars done on Mars. She leaves husband and baby daughter behind and travels to the Red Planet. In Newman's fashion, as soon as she gets there, mysteries crop up, and the protagonist (and the reader in tow) are on a rollercoaster of emotions, revelations, and more mysteries.
Ms Newman really has a way with characters, she can delve deep into their psyche and make them relatable and believable. Hers are character driven books, her character's state of mind is as crucial to the book as the mysteries they are trying to solve, so if you think that getting into a character's thoughts and emotions is boring drivel, you may want to pick up some breakneck space opera book instead. If you like characters with depth paired with a good story, don't miss this one.
I found the protagonist of this book particularly close to my heart because I happen to share most of her views on children, with the difference that she had a baby even with those feelings, which is my personal nightmare scenario. The thought of being stuck with a kid when you don't want any, and having societal guilt crushing you simply because you don't feel the "normal" feelings about children (but then how many people pretend to have them just to avoid being judged?) is something the author captured perfectly.
I didn't give it 5 stars because I found the ending a little underwhelming, but I am just nitpicking here, don't let it deter you.
There is one serious drawback about this series: now that I have read all the books, what am I supposed to read that won't fall short in comparison? Thanks a lot Ms. Newman, now that i am so spoiled, it's going to be hard finding worthy reading material!

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Mazzuchelli

Escapist SF Worth Reading

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2018

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While disappointed to find this series isn't actually concurrent, the author managed to provide characters that are interesting in radically diverse environments. The premise is intriguing and the ending satisfying even though loose ends abound. Stars were removed for an underlying Atwood-esque subtext of mindless, juvenile feminist whining jarring even today much less than in a distant future, and, I'm a woman.

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camillacreek

Mind blowing Martian whodunnit

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2018

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The narrator is a geologist who has dreamed all her life of going to Mars. One day, out of the blue, she is selected to join the established scientific station on Mars, but on the strength of her skill as an artist, not a geologist. She resents being picked for her hobby rather than what she's worked hard for, but sees it as an escape from an unhappy childhood, a stale marriage and a baby she never wanted. On arrival, things seem slightly off but she puts it down to the effects of the long journey. As the story progressed the sense of unease intensified. One minute everything seemed normal and in the next I was so doubtful of the narrator's sanity that I didn't know what to believe. One moment the story was based in a safe, tightly controlled environment and in the next it was a claustrophobic viper's nest where all was not as it seemed. The end game was laid out in a series of small clues but I still didn't guess the excellent finale.

The plot reminded me of Wool, where people lived together in an enclosed environment and trusted that they were being told the truth about what lay outside. Like Wool, this book was about having the courage to question that accepted truth.

This is a great character driven story with enough science and technology to satisfy my inner geek.

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lindaluane

A station on Mars

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2018

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I'm really not sure which category this book should go into
I know there were previous books in the series, but this is the first one I have read. It does make a good stand alone novel., this story takes place on a station located on Mars station . It begins when Dr, Anna Kurbin arrives on Mars. Anna is a geologist and a painter The Gabor corporation owns the station on Mars - The corporation and its ownder is portrayed as a greedy unpleasnt person.

Anna has made the journey to Mars, leaving behind her husband and baby daughter. Anna seems a bit "cold" toward her husband and daughter - but we learn about her past history that has influenced her demeanor, later in the novel. There is a lot about her feelings and thoughts about her past, and about her current state of mind and her thoughts. They are necessary to the development of the story. It is also a look into a technological advancement that doesn;t seem at all unbelievable
There are many twists and turns and mysteries to solve - the interactions between the people stationed on Mars is one of them. The ending does leave an opeing for a sequel. I'll be looking to see if there is one :)

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Groves

Simply Amazing

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2018

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This is a wonderful addition to the series Emma Newman is building. Each of the three novels so far has been expanding the scope of the series by putting us in new places, with new characters, and each novel reaching its own satisfying conclusion. Planetfall was perfection in my mind, and is still my favorite in the series. However, After Atlas and now Before Mars have only made the series better and have set the table for an intriguing bigger picture. I'm beyond excited to see where this goes next.

These novels are all told in the first person perspective with an insight into the psychological workings of introverted, highly stressed, or atypical people. Emma Newman has a strength in conveying social anxiety through first person narration that is unmatched in my opinion. This above all is what has drawn me to these, having always been a emotional outlier myself, connecting with these unique individuals has been extremely refreshing reading.

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anon

Read the other books first. No, really, read the other two first.

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2018

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These three in the series (so far), with "Before Mars" being the third, really go together although they are quite different in tone and setting.

Solid writing with a unique overall plot that's only now beginning to shape up. Each book certainly stands alone but they have a wider perspective when taken together.

Dinged by a star for the dwelling in Anna's mental illness and the continued forays and self-recriminations. That whole thing about Anna never finding kindred spirits in not feeling unconditional love for her baby is wrong and I cannot imagine in whatever future this novel is created would be *that* different than now, particularly since Anna is such a curious, dogged investigator; she could have found some therapy group or Al-Anon-like group somewhere.

And. It's a device used a second time. It's ok because these books are good but once would have sufficed and I hope it's not repeated in what looks to be a few more in this series.

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WHB

Planetfall Novels are GREAT

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2018

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Emma Newman, in my opinion, is one of the best science fiction writers today.
Building on her original Planetfall novel, she details a story of mystery and intrigue, tied to the original novel, referencing the Pathfinder and Gabor Corp but able to stand alone in plot cohesion and conclusion.
Realistic in scientific possibilities and a plausible Mars setting; a projection of the human mind computer amalgam, that has you at times wondering whether or not the main character's existence is real or the result of an imagined immersive, virtual reality.
The conclusion is satisfying but wide open for a sequel, which might involve the coming together of the original Pathfinder colony, the ship of 10,000, which leaves an annihilated Earth, the Gabor ship of 20 and the ship of 4, which includes our protagonist and her 3 Mars colleagues.
Can't wait for the sequel.

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