Audiobook Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

Title: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Genre: Sci Fi
Publication Date: 22nd March 2013
Narrator: R.C. Bray
Time: 10hrs 53mins
Book Source: Own audio

Synopsis: Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. 

Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. 

After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. 

Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. 

Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

My Thoughts: 

Blogging friends began raving about The Martian many months ago and in excitement I purchased it on Audible, back in March. I trust these bloggers (hey I bought the book) but skepticism kicked in and as the hype increased I put off listening to it until last week. *kicks self* 

So that’s the situation. I’m stranded on Mars. I have no way to communicate with Hermes or Earth. Everyone thinks I’m dead. I’m in a Hab designed to last thirty-one days.

If the oxygenator breaks down, I’ll suffocate. If the water reclaimer breaks down, I’ll die of thirst. If the Hab breaches, I’ll just kind of explode. If none of those things happen, I’ll eventually run out of food and starve to death.

So yeah. I’m fucked.

The Martian was A-MAZING. Narrator R.C. Bray, deserves a high five, a medal, a raise ... absolutely brilliant narration. It's tense, emotional, snerk funny and a surprise favourite read this year. 

I don't think I'm known in blogging circles for my speedy reviews lol and yet here I am posting, literally minutes after finishing the audio #booyah

Astronaut and botanist Mark Watney is tenacious, resilient, resourceful, brave and kick-ass smart, all qualities you'd expect of an astronaut. What I really loved was his humour and sarcasm, he's a wise-cracking smart ass and I laughed out loud, many a time. Given the gravity of his situation you might think his quips would get old but he was chosen for the mission not just for his qualifications but for his easy going personality, so it worked. 

“My asshole is doing as much to keep me alive as my brain.” 

“I'm even going to electrolyze my urine. That'll make for a pleasant smell in the trailer.

If I survive this, I'll tell people I was pissing rocket fuel.” 

The Martian is scientifically technical and high school science/math was not my strong point so it surprised me how much I enjoyed all of it, even the stuff that went over my head was fascinating. The Q&A on Andy Weir's website regarding research and accuracy was really interesting.   

Mark's log entries, the narration from NASA, it felt believable and authentic, the characters likable. Mark's the King of Mars but I also loved Venkat, Mindy, Mitch and the Hermes crew. 

Log Entry: SOL 118

My conversation with NASA about the Water Reclaimer was boring and riddled with technical details. So I'll paraphrase for you:

Me: "This is obviously a clog. How about I take it apart and check the internal tubing?"

NASA: (After about 5 hours of deliberation) "No. You'll fuck it up and die."

So I took it apart.

I told NASA what I did. Our (paraphrased) conversation was: 

Me: “I took it apart, found the problem, and fixed it.” 

NASA: “Dick.” 

Log Entry: Sol 501 

I started the day with some nothin’ tea. Nothin’ tea is easy to make. First, get some hot water, then add nothin’.

So how 'bout the conclusion. I may have stopped breathing and even teared up ... just a little bit. 

... now for the movie. 

How cool is it that astronauts on ISS watched The Martian movie in space. 

Check out this video of crew members from the International Space Station answering questions from the director and cast of  "The Martian".

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Review: This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Title: This Shattered World 

Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Genre: YA SciFi Romance

Series: Starbound #2

Publication Date: 23rd December 2014

Pages: 390

Book Source: Disney Hyperion & NetGalley

Synopsis: The second installment in the epic Starbound trilogy introduces a new pair of star-crossed lovers on two sides of a bloody war.

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

My Thoughts: 

I wasn't convinced when we left Lilac and Tarver in These Broken Stars that I'd be quite as sold on new star-crossed lovers. Wrong! Captain Jubilee (Lee) Chase and Flynn Cormac are on opposing sides of the war on Avon, military and rebel, both bad-ass, likable and both fighting for the same thing. Ok Flynn wasn't quite Tarver but he still got my vote ;)

This Shattered World is a darker, harsher tale than it's predecessor with the romance taking a back seat to war, death and madness. The pace and action is full-on from the get go but not at the expense of world-building or character development. What I really liked was the intimacy in seeing both sides of the conflict, the humanity of both.

There is continuity with the corporate corruption touched on in book 1 really getting fleshed out and there's a much greater sense of planet, universe and galactic politics. And yes Tarver and Lilac make a brief but significant appearance. 

All up This Shattered World had a different feel to These Broken Stars but I liked it just as much.

Can't wait to see where Amie and Meagan venture next and with who ... maybe Sophia? 

See my review of THESE BROKEN STARS ~ 4.5 stars

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Starbound Trilogy Website

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Romance
Series: Starbound #1
Publication Date: 10th December 2013 (1st published Nov 2013)

Pages: 384

Book Source: Disney Hyperion & NetGalley

Synopsis: It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

My Thoughts:

These Broken Stars holds appeal across genre's, the writing is gorgeously lyrical but spare and I read it in one entertaining sitting. 

I found the world-building convincing and satisfying (for YA Sci-Fi ... not that I'm saying YA should be 'light' or watered down but the adult Sci-Fi I enjoy is extremely detailed) but I would have liked more time aboard the Icarus before it was pulled from hyperspace, crashing on a virtually unknown planet.  

Tarver and Lilac are alternating narrators with distinct voices (I wonder if Amie Kaufman, and Meagan Spooner wrote one each?) From disparate social classes, they're endearing characters ... Tarver for his loyalty, strength and confidence and just being a being a genuinely decent guy and Lilac, I didn't think I'd like spoilt, bitchy Lilac but she had a certain depth, revealed as the story progressed and a backbone of steel.  

These Broken Stars is a lovely combination ... survival story with a unique, slightly paranormal twist and slow budding romance. Not to mention secrets, power play and the corruption that goes hand-in-hand ... hopefully this will be explored further in future installments.  

Even though we start again with a new pair of star crossed lovers I can't wait for This Shattered World in 2014. 

Recommend: for sure! in spite of my 'hype' wariness, avoidance ... ok paranoia, These Broken Stars really came through :)

Cover: Striking

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The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Genre: YA Scifi/Dystopian
Series: The Fifth Wave #1
Publicaton Date: 7th May 2013
Pages: 460
Book Source: Penguin Books Aust & NetGalley

Synopsis: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

My Thoughts:

Alien invasion of earth and eradication of mankind is not exactly new, actually it's been done to death but The 5th Wave still felt new, or at least something I haven't read in a while. I read it blissfully unaware of reviews or hype and it's a pretty compelling number, just a little short of addictive. Move over zombie apocalypse ... the aliens are in town!

Cassie's resilient and she does get some kick-ass time, Evan I just didn't warm to and Zombie ... Zombie carried the story for me. I liked the ominous undercurrent topped with paranoia and a good helping of fear; lots of death, destruction and cruelty to small children ... what did you expect? It is the alien apocalypse. 

The trust-no-one mantra got a bit old (what else can you do when the enemy looks like you and not *cough* little green men) but it had me wanting to *head desk* when survivors tended to eventually ignore their gut instinct. 

I'm not gushing but minor issues aside I really liked The 5th Wave and the questions it raised regarding humanity. I'll definitely be reading the next installment ... good enough recommendation? 

Watch the trailer, it's pretty wicked.

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Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopia
Series: Lunar Chronicles
Publication Date: 5th February 2013
Pages: 452
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Thoughts:

I loved the innovative freshness of Cinder and Scarlet doesn't disappoint, no dreaded 2nd book syndrome. Marissa Meyer totally rocks it bringing readers another fantastical installment in the Lunar Chronicles.

Even though the main characters are recognisable and familiar they're kind of shiny and new and awesome and even though the pace is epic (452 pages flew by) there's a delicious, slow unraveling of the storyline and that earned much love from me.  

I loved the melding of Cinder & Scarlet's story, genius Ms Meyer. The threads of Cinder's story pick up right where things where left in book 1 and Scarlet Benoit's story is every bit as vibrant and inventive as Cinder's. Scarlet is FIERCE! 

The mysterious Wolf won me but I'm glad I read the free eBook short story The Queen's Army, it's certainly not essential but it gave ... clarity.

Cress which is scheduled for release 4th February 2014 will feature Rapunzel and Winter; Snow White ... woohoo, bring it on. 

I can't wait to see where Marissa Meyer's creativity takes us next ... I just wish she'd write faster ;) 

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Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Genre: YA Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: Gone With the Respiration #2
Publication Date: 25th September 2012
Pages: 496
Book Source: Random House & NetGalley

Synopsis: That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

My Thoughts:

Arggh I'm so disappointed!

I was captivated by Dearly, Departed; loved Lia Habel's writing style, her use of multiple narrators, the unique futuristic Victorian world building and I fell for zombies, big time so I had high expectations for Dearly, Beloved. I wanted to love it, I tried, I really did ... I persevered, I forced myself to the finish line but I'm gutted it wasn't what I'd hoped for.   

It's not that I can't find anything good to say about Dearly, Beloved but it was such hard work; it didn't hold my attention, despite the chaotic goings-on it moved sooo slowly, quite frankly ... I was bored.

In this installment the multiple POV's seem to contribute to the tedium rather than bring anything positive to the story. I still enjoyed Bram's character and Dr Samedi was entertaining but I can't say the same for Nora, Pammie and poor Coalhouse; he really got the rough end of the pineapple and I missed Z company's comraderie and banter. 

3/4 of the way through the pace picked up, action outweighed zombie/human politics and I got a taste of what this book could have been. If the first 400 pages had of been like the last 100 this would have been a completely different story. Sadly, the reward was too late coming :(

  

The Rise Of Nine by Pittacus Lore

Genre: YA SciFi/Fantasy
Series: Lorien Legacies #3
Publication Date: 22nd August 2012
Pages: 384
Book Source: Penguin Books Australia

Synopsis: Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.

But so are they.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They caught me in New York--but I escaped.

I am Number Six. 

They want to finish what they started.

But they'll have to fight us first.

My Thoughts:

Another edge-of-your-seat installment, I'm seriously wondering if the author can sustain the pace and intensity through the next 3 books and whether I'd survive if he did - reader exhaustion is a distinct possibility! 

At the risk of repeating myself The Power Of Six and The Rise Of Nine have been non-stop, adrenaline-pumping action - you seriously do not get a moment to catch your breath and whilst that's exciting for a book or two, I think it'd fast become old if the author didn't change it up. I'll be interested to see the direction taken with the next book.

The Rise of Nine covers the journey of Lorien Garde members, Four, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten, we find out more about their developing legacies and inheritances as they continue the battle to save Earth from the Mogodorians and revive Lorien. 

My opinion of John, Number Four remains unchanged from The Power Of Six, he's still my least favourite, Six my favourite and cocky Nine grew on me over the course of this book. Will Number Five show up in the next book?

I'm totally invested in the characters and the world and can't wait to see where the author takes the battle next! 

Want to read the short story of Number Eight's Origin ~ it's only available on The Lorien Legacies website ~ click here

Check out this link if you need clarity on the Lorien Garde and their legacies.

If you're interested here's my review of book 1 I AM NUMBER FOUR & book 2 THE POWER OF SIX (spoiler-free)

US cover

UK cover