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jwalderman13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
fermentedsorcerer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Although it seems slow and boring at first a lot of necessary ground is being laid for a profound story. This book does a lot of work to get you emotionally invested in the events and characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship, and War
kessler21's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first book in the Mars trilogy. It covers the first 100 that are sent to settle mars. The story is told from a third person narrative, changing the focus of the character each chapter. Red Mars tries to become a story of political battle and intrigue. Instead it falls flat and is NOT a page turner.
Credit to the story: The science, as far as I know, is very well done. I enjoyed learning about possible solutions to terraform Mars and how to create livable habitats.
Discredit to the story: The science is very well done and explained. This makes for a boring read. The character are linear. In the first handful of pages you have learned the characters and they never deviate from their design. The politics just didn't jive with me. I had trouble with the speed at which everything happens. The lack of fail safes and plans made by the leaders on earth to where things aren't really left up to the 100. I had trouble seeing how point A led to point B and how it did so quickly. I can't see political enemies having causal conversations and leaning on one another only to be enemies again a few pages later.
From the reviews I've read, you love this book or hate it. I had trouble suspending my belief because the parts I wanted to connect with....the physical and emotional struggle of living on Mars and the political turmoil on Mars (independent or just a resource) was not believable.
Credit to the story: The science, as far as I know, is very well done. I enjoyed learning about possible solutions to terraform Mars and how to create livable habitats.
Discredit to the story: The science is very well done and explained. This makes for a boring read. The character are linear. In the first handful of pages you have learned the characters and they never deviate from their design. The politics just didn't jive with me. I had trouble with the speed at which everything happens. The lack of fail safes and plans made by the leaders on earth to where things aren't really left up to the 100. I had trouble seeing how point A led to point B and how it did so quickly. I can't see political enemies having causal conversations and leaning on one another only to be enemies again a few pages later.
From the reviews I've read, you love this book or hate it. I had trouble suspending my belief because the parts I wanted to connect with....the physical and emotional struggle of living on Mars and the political turmoil on Mars (independent or just a resource) was not believable.
katewallis123's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Good and epic world building but about 1/5-1/4 too long which meant by the end I was ready for it to be over. Made the depressing final section even more so. Still, overall enjoyed it.
anteus7's review against another edition
5.0
This is just what I wanted in a science fiction novel right now. I've had a run of meh reads here at the end of summer and this one was tons of fun.
The bulk of the book is an exploration of making human habitation on Mars feasible. I really appreciate how Robinson thinks about the technology he includes--what might and might not work--but he really shines when he writes about the human elements--again both things that will uplift humanity and the things that will tear us down.
I need to pick up copies of Green and Blue Mars so I can find out what happens next.
The bulk of the book is an exploration of making human habitation on Mars feasible. I really appreciate how Robinson thinks about the technology he includes--what might and might not work--but he really shines when he writes about the human elements--again both things that will uplift humanity and the things that will tear us down.
I need to pick up copies of Green and Blue Mars so I can find out what happens next.
alreadyemily's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Started off interesting, got slow enough that I questioned even continuing the trilogy, then got very interesting again.
fluffypotamus's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
+2 stars for the mars stuff. -3 stars for geriatric astronaut soap opera which was the majority of the book. god damn get back to work you horny old fucks.
aceschwarz222's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lightiron's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0