Reviews

A group of scientists get a one-way ticket to Mars as part of a reality show. Unfortunately as time passes they grow bored as their research doesn’t turn up exciting enough results. Their boredom leads to tension in the group and love affairs, a big no-no accord to the show handbook.

After some of the recent talk about doing a reality show on Mars a few years ago, I couldn’t resist this book. Unfortunately the reality show felt forgotten and wasn’t as big of a part of the story as I’d been hoping. In fact the show is already over by the time the book starts. I think my disappointment in the story was simply a case of the blurb causing me to expect something different than what the story actually is.

The story skips between POVs and while I enjoyed getting to learn about characters that way. The story is heavily driven by the characters instead of the plot at times. The handbook for Destination Mars! was quirky and added comedic relief. Unfortunately a lot of the humor just didn’t quite land for me. It felt too wacky and quirky at times and I found myself wanting a more serious take on the topic. While not quite for me in the end since it wasn’t what I’d expected, those who want a more light-hearted take on sending scientists to Mars should check this one out.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

journey_sloane's review

Go to review page

Just wasn't feeling it. No connection with the characters

jasminenoack's review

Go to review page

funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

glenmowrer's review

Go to review page

2.0

I need to be reminded, on a regular basis, that I tend to find satire in too many parts of life. Thus I enjoyed the first half or so of How to Mars. But then I thought maybe the author's use of a smarmy English Public School voice to "guide" us was not an obvious tip of the cap to "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe" so much as a mode to impress the reader with the author's perceived insight into human relationships and personality. The book was meant to be taken seriously, on its face, it seems. This becomes very hard to do the more the cliches and stereotypes take over. Really, by the end of the book I was just looking to get out. (But I do appreciate that the simplest gimmick [that of disaster] was ignored.)