Name: Kelly Gorman's review of Before Mars by Emma Newman
Item: Before Mars
Rating: 4
Author: Kelly Gorman

Emma Newman

After months of travel, Anna Kubrin finally arrives on Mars for her new job as a geologist and de facto artist-in-residence. Already she feels like she is losing the connection with her husband and baby at home on Earth--and she'll be on Mars for over a year. Throwing herself into her work, she tries her best to fit in with the team. But in her new room on the base, Anna finds a mysterious note written in her own handwriting, warning her not to trust the colony psychologist. A note she can't remember writing. She unpacks her wedding ring, only to find it has been replaced by a fake. Finding a footprint in a place the colony AI claims has never been visited by humans, Anna begins to suspect that her assignment isn't as simple as she was led to believe. Is she caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy, or is she actually losing her mind? Regardless of what horrors she might discover, or what they might do to her sanity, Anna has find the truth before her own mind destroys her.

Before Mars

Kelly Gorman

'Cathartic and transcendent' New York Times Acclaimed author Emma Newman returns to the captivating Planetfall universe with a standalone dark tale of a woman stationed on Mars who slowly starts to doubt her own memories and sanity. After months of travel, Anna Kubrin finally arrives on Mars for her new job as a geologist and de facto artist-in-residence. Already she feels like she is losing the connection with her husband and baby at home on Earth--and she'll be on Mars for over a year. Throwing herself into her work, she tries her best to fit in with the team. But in her new room on the base, Anna finds a mysterious note written in her own handwriting, warning her not to trust the colony psychologist. A note she can't remember writing. She unpacks her wedding ring, only to find it has been replaced by a fake. Finding a footprint in a place the colony AI claims has never been visited by humans, Anna begins to suspect that her assignment isn't as simple as she was led to believe. Is she caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy, or is she actually losing her mind? Regardless of what horrors she might discover, or what they might do to her sanity, Anna has find the truth before her own mind destroys her. PRAISE FOR EMMA NEWMAN'S PLANETFALL NOVELS 'An exceptionally engaging novel . . . a vivid, riveting read' Washington Post 'Gripping and sorrowful' Publishers Weekly (starred review) 'Emma Newman creates addictive page turners' Starburst Magazine

Ben Silverman 

I started off a bit apprehensive about this book because I didn't find the main character that likeable, especially at the start. However, I'm so glad I continued to read through to the end because this was such a great book!

Scott Vandehey

I devoured all four books in a row, so I’m having trouble not thinking of it as a single story. In a nutshell, they cover the aftermath of a particular incident from four wildly different perspectives: First, a woman grieving the loss of her best friend while trying to keep a secret from the colony they established on a new planet. Second, an indentured detective investigating the murder of a charismatic cult leader. Third, a geologist struggling with the needs of her family back on Earth as she takes a job on Mars. And the fourth I won’t mention because it’s a spoiler.

I found the series when io9 posted an excerpt (the whole first chapter, actually) from the third book.

I can’t recommend this series strongly enough. Go read that chapter and if you dig the vibe, you’re going to have a very good time reading these books.

Ben Nathan

I really liked this. Every time I thought I knew where it was going, I was surprised. The mental health angle was again brilliant. The story was captivating, but not to the same level as planetfall.

After months of travel, Anna Kubrin finally arrives on Mars for her new job as a geologist and de facto artist-in-residence. Already she feels like she is losing the connection with her husband and baby at home on Earth--and she'll be on Mars for over a year. Throwing herself into her work, she tries her best to fit in with the team.But in her new room on the base, Anna finds a mysterious note written in her own handwriting, warning her not to trust the colony psychologist. A note she can't remember writing. She unpacks her wedding ring, only to find it has been replaced by a fake. Finding a footprint in a place the colony AI claims has never been visited by humans, Anna begins to suspect that her assignment isn't as simple as she was led to believe. Is she caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy, or is she actually losing her mind? Regardless of what horrors she might discover, or what they might do to her sanity, Anna has find the truth before her own mind destroys her.

Lisa Beasley

This was really good, Emma Newman writes characters so well, she never hides from showing their flaws and this was just perfect. I also really loved the mystery aspect of this book, it really had me hooked. I also like how it ties into the other books esp a little bit at the end. Wonderful series and I'm a little mad at myself I left it so long to continue, I am excited to read the next book.

Kelly Gorman &
Before Mars by Emma Newman

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Kelly Gorman &Before Mars by Emma Newman

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Before Mars by Emma Newman