2024 CYGNUS Awards Finalist for Science Fiction

Mars. The near future. Across the Red Planet's stark, unforgiving expanse, a unique society is emerging, teetering on the brink of triumph—and catastrophe.

War-weary journalist Ailia Bax is thrust into the heart of interplanetary politics as relations between Mars and Earth careen towards breaking point. In the handful of colonies scattered across the Red Planet, Ailia must forge grassroots alliances if she has any hope of exposing the multilayered intrigue she discovers. With pressure from Earth ratcheting up and internal divisions amongst the human and sentient robot population jeopardizing hopes for independence, Ailia is forced to make decisions that will unwittingly shape the fate of a new world.

That's if the planet and a terrorist bomber don't kill her first...

A thought-provoking Mars science fiction book, a slow-burn political thriller, a planetary travelogue, and a reflection on the ethics of exploration and colonization, wrapped up with adventure, strong characters and immersive world-building. Recommended for fans of books like The Martian, Moving Mars, Red Mars, Downbelow Station, The Collapsing Empire, Leviathan Wakes, A Memory Called Empire, To Be Taught, If Fortunate, Mars Nation 1, Jennifer Government, and Colony One Mars.

What GOODREADS readers are saying:
★★★★★ "This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of humanity in space and the ethical questions that accompany our quest to explore new frontiers. I highly recommend it to fellow adventurers and dreamers alike."

★★★★★ "It’s a great sci-fi novel that delves into human interaction, interaction with sapient AI and the politics/conflicts between Earth and Mars. Highly recommended."