Child of Mars

An essential instalment to the Mars Ascendant Series

Another amazing read from author D.M. Pruden. This third book in the Mars Ascendant series has all the beloved features that characterized the first two books: engaging and sympathetic heroes (each with their own beloved bigness and pettiness), insidious villains who have grown even more vindictive and dangerous with time, page turning action, big surprise twists, caustic and clever repartee (to make you laugh out loud), and some pointed observations on the Earth of today, as seen from the Mars of tomorrow. Add to that some new threats, new villains and new heroes.

What sets this third book apart is that the fascinating futuristic political intrigues (and counter-intrigues), and the technological wonders of tomorrow (and their disasters) are now a backdrop to the story. And what comes to the foreground are the complexities of personal relationships, which are much more challenging for our heroes to navigate. This gives the novel a somewhat slower trajectory. But not to worry — it’s all worth the wait.

Once we get the antagonists and heroes in the same room, the insolent retorts, the double-dares, and the surprises galore bring this book to a conclusion that is totally satisfying. At one point it even seems that the author has set the gordian-knot of dilemmas? Is it check-mate? What transpires is beyond anything imagined.

And at the end, what’s this? The delicious possibility of an even bigger super-threat and another adventure for our much beloved heroine? Let’s hope so.