Kari Keskiyo thought she was lucky winning a ticket to become one of the Martian colonists; Earth is on the brink of annihilation due to natural disasters. However, when she arrives on Mars, she is faced with worse predicaments, one of them being that her ex-fiance's failed cloning project has created mindless killers. Kari and Neil must put aside their spiritual and scientific differences and work together to not just save themselves, but the entire human race from extinction. From the author: "My story is a fast-paced sci-fi/horror novella, but it also has heart, and leaves you with something to think about; instead of humans always looking outward, sometimes we should be looking inward."
Mari lives in northern Canada with her partner, a poet, Alvin, and their dog, Pixie. She is currently working on the dark fantasy series The Temple Of Empia Saga.
Midnight on Mars was science-fiction, futuristic Novel set in 2060. It was about saving humanity, survival, science vs spirituality, and importance of love and life.
Characters-
Kari was ethical and smart woman who had vast knowledge on belief system of spiritual nature and planetary patterns of energies that affects human nature and their survival was brilliant. She could feel the spiritual nature of humans and what they lacked and presence of divine source on mars. Her explanation about all her abilities and talent was catchy. Her development was good. I liked the way she used the energy of the planet to get over her anxiety and fight for her own life.
Neil was scientist and Kari’s ex-boyfriend. His nature and thinking was contrast to Kari’s belief and spiritual knowledge. Neil’s thorough knowledge about maze like structure of mars habitat horizon and how to survive on harsh environment of the planet kept both Kari and others alive.
Secondary characters who survived along with main characters were nicely written. Caden was creative villain. He was lunatic and what he did to create his own world horrified me.
What I liked-
The story was set on Mars and Earth told in third person narrative intermittently. Most of the book was set on Mars which showed Mars habitat horizon built by ISCE, scientific attempts to save humanity, last few people arriving on Mars and what they found there, their constant struggle surviving on this red planet which was taken over by hollows, ICSE traitors and a lunatic old man who wanted to create their own world. Small portion of the book set on Earth included- catastrophic situation on earth, how it was going cover in black soot because of soon-to-erupt all super-volcanos on the planet and thus going to destroy all humans on earth; people remaining behind in ISCE headquarter on Earth helping those last few human reached on Mars.
It was packed with lots of info around space technology, colony created on mars when world was on verge of destruction and clone project that went chaotic turning humans into soul-less aggressive zombies wanting to kill everyone around. Combining the cloning and current state of earth with the divine, pentagram, energy and spirituality theory surprised me. I was not expecting it in such deeper level when I started the book. The description around this spiritual theory against human tampering with natural cycle was fascinating and unique.
Book had diverse characters, true sci-fi feel with amazing tech and space description. I liked the thrill of fighting hollows, rescuing women from lunatic and traitors, and getting away from red raging planet alive. There was lot chopping, killing, blood and dead bodies with gory details that made the setting really dark and horrifying.
I liked relationship between Kari and Neil. They really were a pair. I liked the way they overcome their differences and tried to understand and respect each other’s thought, gave each other and their broken relationship another chance, and fought together to their common enemies.
The final battle against Caden and his men with help of Earth’s ICSE headquarters and divine entity, was intriguing. It was interesting to find out who the red spirit on Mars was, what it wanted and how it was related to the nature of the planet; how Neil, Kari and other survivors will escape the planet and how they were going to save the humanity; will Earth be habitable again or they have to find other planet.
Why 3.5 Stars-
I didn’t like that making out scene, forgetting about the more pressing matters-zombies, savings humanity and leaving planet alive. It was bit unnecessary so early in the book. I could see where author will take it from here, so made it little predictable.
I couldn’t relate to characters and their emotions. Plot was really interesting but it was shadowed by spiritual talk. For me, It was little confusing at some point and hard digest as I haven’t heard of this concept before.
Overall, it was fast paced, interesting science-fiction novel mixed with cosmic energy and spirituality.
*** Note: I received e-copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. ***
Earth is dying. Nature has forestalled humanity: with the impending reversal of the magnetic field, dormant super-volcanoes are on the brink of eruption, and the output will blanket the atmosphere in enough ash to extinguish agriculture in the areas not drowned in lava or damaged by the accompanying earthquakes. Humanity’s one off-world colony, on Mars, is viable, but a covert scientific experiment has encountered an unlikely issue: human clones born or awakened off Earth are functionally sociopathic. Only Kari Keskiyo is able to provide an explanation – and it’s not one offering an easy solution.
Midnight on Mars is a dystopian sci-fi, positing the perfect storm of natural disasters that would wipe out most, if not all, life on Earth, as well as a renewed cycle of dangerous religious fundamentalism. The setting is dark, and largely convincingly written. I enjoyed the originality of some of the religious beliefs; author M. C. Glan managed to mostly avoid the common trap of adhering religiously (pardon me) to the Judaeo-Christian version. However, I found that overall the characters were lacking in that extra quality that would have captivated me, and some of the story elements would have benefited from more development. This may have been a function of the story length, but it impacted the book’s ability to draw me in.
They say opposites attract and that's clearly the cast of Kari and Neil. Neil is head of a scientific experiment creating clones to populate Mars.Kari, his religious ex-fiance is fleeing the ravaged Earth relocating to the Mars colony. She broke up with him, making him decide between his science and her. She couldn't stay with him while he pursued his soulless ideas.Chaos greets her when she lands, and just as she predicted the clones her boyfriend helped develop are not only out of control but as violent as a mob of zombies. She is thrust into the conflict, joining Neil to save both humanity and herself. An action-packed space yarn filled with science, gore and the debate over the true meaning of life.
Zombie clones with no remorse for murder on the distant red planet? Hell yeah! This story jumps right in with a bunch of civilians being immediately attacked by a dude who starts ruthlessly off people on a spaceship.
It is the year 2060, and the Earth is facing an unprecedented crisis. The sun's radiation has become increasingly toxic, causing irreparable damage to the Earth's ecosystem. The loss of biodiversity is becoming more and more apparent, with countless species disappearing at an alarming rate. As a result, life on Earth is rapidly coming to an end. In the midst of this catastrophe, scientists are working tirelessly to find solutions to save our planet and preserve the human race. However, despite their efforts, many believe that it may already be too late. Amidst the desperation and despair, some turn to religion for comfort and guidance, seeking solace in the face of an uncertain future.
The intricacy with which Kari explains the cosmic forces has always captivated me. She believes that the universe is brimming with energy and that each planet emits a distinct attribute into space. This energy plays a crucial role in the life of a person's soul. By analyzing the alignment of these planets, astrologists can read the purpose of a person's life. It is said that a soul needs to embark on a pilgrimage to complete its journey towards wholeness. The depth of this concept is truly awe-inspiring.
As I read this book, I found the writing to be engaging and the story moved at a quick pace, which kept me interested and invested in the plot. However, I must admit that I found parts of the story to be difficult to follow. Although I was able to pick up on some of the meanings through context, there were times when I was left feeling confused and disoriented.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The action was awesome and horrifying at the same time.
I listened to the audiobook version of this and loved the narration.
( Format : Audiobook ) "It helped her sing that tune of Mars." Earth, already badly beset by natural disasters and radiation poisoning, is simply counting down the days to a total extermination event which will finally end all life. In an attempt to preserve some of humanity, a base has been established on Mars with a few lucky lottery winners given passage to, hopefully, a new life. One of the passengers aboard the shuttle is Kari, once the girlfriend of a scientist already based at the Mars station: she and Niel had parted after a violent disagreement over views on how the future should proceed. Although this basic premise is not new, the opening pages of the book are instantly gripping. The docking of the ship is met immediately by security alarms, panic - and deaths. The ending is interestingly different, also. Pity about all of the rest in between.
Badly written, this is a romance, with lines like, "She felt the old him and, when they discarded clothes, she felt all of him," and,"The butterflies left the artificial lamps to fly towards the couple's light instead, fluttering around them in a joyous dance." It is also a strung out and improbable battle zone, awash with blood and lumbering monsters and, finally, a diatribe of pseudo astrological and mythical religion versus fanatical ideas of good versus evil. Sorry but this reader found it to be tedious rubbish. Narrator Chase Johnson did his best, becoming more intensely animated during the (latter) fight confrontations. His voicings were good, but even he had to struggle to hold attention.
This is definitely a book in need of a good editor. It certainly has some potential but... My thanks to the rights holder for gifting me a copy of Midnight on Mars, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. I voluntarily review all of the books I read or hear, always truthfully but obviously prefering to be positive where possible. This is about as positive as I can get for Midnight on Mars.
First off, there’s the start. You are thrown immediately into the action. This is done skillfully. It makes you want to go on before you even get to know the characters. The character development is interwoven with the action. This makes getting to know the characters way more exciting. The backstory of the characters is so well done. It makes you think the author basically wrote a few novels and condensed them into one. Details you don’t need are spared. I never felt bored. The concept is amazing. It’s spiritual, scientific and political. It’s all based on the idea that if you clone a human, it’s not the same human, because it is not inhabited by the same soul. This leads to something called a hollow, which is kind of zombielike, but it’s not a zombie story. The author has carefully developed a situation that is based on detailed world building and well-developed science fiction and spiritual concepts. There is a strong romantic element between the main character, Kari, and Neal. This romantic element does not take over the story, and it’s not corny. It gives you just enough to root for the two of them. The ticking clock of this book, which is absolute world annihilation, is present from the beginning, keeping the entire book tense. The spiritual and pollical elements are probably smaller than the science fiction elements. I think this helps the story. It seems like it’s metaphorical, given the current state of the world, but I might have read that into the story. Overall, I found this to be a masterfully written book, and I recommend it for those who love futuristic fantasy and science fiction.
An enjoyable read, pacey and action-packed, though it would benefit from a little more refinement.
The Great: There’s a lot of action. The main character bounces from one survival scene to another. There isn’t a slowdown in the plot. It reminded me of a well-formed video game storyline – one obstacle overcome only to be beset by a new threat. The concept has appeal – it’s a zombie story but layers in sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. It’s ambitious, to say the least. The balance was more interesting than I expected, and the lore behind the creation of the zombie hordes (called Hollows) is a twist I haven’t seen before. It's not a long book and the non-stop action made it easy to stay engaged.
Less Great: I believe the author made a purposeful trade-off between ‘on-screen’ action and motivation/development. The characters just act, making decisions in the moment that are often illogical and inconsistent with how they are described as world-class scientists. As a reader, your mileage may vary, but I would’ve preferred more length to the story to make the characters shine. The book needs a strong line and copy edit. That would help immensely with both readability and consistency. Prose quality is not the focus of the work, though there are definitely some clever lines.
All in all, great action with an interesting plotline, though with some flaws picky readers will have to overlook.
This was an enjoyable read mixing sci-fi with religion and spirituality, giving the book a new and original, authentic feel. I found the writing to be engaging and the story moved at a quick pace, however, I found parts of this story difficult to follow. There are quite a few acronyms used, and I could definitely have used a few reminders throughout the book on what each one stood for to make for easier comprehension. I loved the religious/ spiritual aspect to the story- the belief that Kari holds about the human spirit and how the planets themselves interact with Earth and give off different energies was a fascinating take, and I think the author has put a lot of thought into the world building and the rules of the religious systems.
While I enjoyed the fast paced plot and the action sequences, and the spiritual aspect, unfortunately the characters fell a little flat for me. I didn’t warm to either of the main characters which is a shame, because for me to really be invested in a book, I need to root for them and their survival. Overall a nice read.
"Midnight on Mars" by Marie Montine is a gripping sci-fi adventure that immerses readers in the challenges faced by a group of colonists on Mars. The book introduces us to Kari, Neil, and their fellow settlers as they navigate a harrowing situation involving radiation sickness, deadly "Hollows," and a power-hungry leader named Caden. The vivid descriptions of the Elysian Fields habitat and the high-stakes action sequences create a palpable sense of tension and danger.
What makes this book particularly compelling is the way it balances the personal struggles of the characters with the larger, ominous forces at play. Kari's internal conflict over her past and the effects of the experimental serum add emotional depth to the narrative. Marie skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, survival, and the human condition, leaving the reader eager to discover what fate awaits these resilient colonists. "Midnight on Mars" is a captivating sci-fi thriller that promises an immersive and thought-provoking reading experience.
I have always been a super huge fan of sci-fi, and Marie Montine's "Midnight on Mars" did not disappoint. The book is pretty short, simple and very easy to read. It jumps right into the story and action in the first chapter, drawing the reader into the interesting, sci fi world that is the planet Mars. Earth is going down, so the only hope for humab survival is on Mars. But the colony on Mars has also been compromised...
In order to survive the failed batch of artificially created human clones that have no souls, Kari and ex fiancée Neil must fight to survive. The clones reminded me a lot of zombies, except they were live beings and not undead. Intriguing concept and it made for an interesting plot device. The story reminded me of a Star Wars movie, and anyone who loves reading sci fi, this is definitely the book for you. I highly recommend it. Great writing, immense action throughout, and overall just a fantastic, heartwarming story with a satisfying ending.
A lot is going on in this book, but it all ties together. I enjoyed the touches of different world views and how the main characters constantly had things going against them - it made the story more captivating than it would have been if the characters managed to get away without a scratch from every situation they were put in.
While there were some parts that seemed unrealistic (even for this genre), the book as a whole was not a bad read at all!
This is a story of humanity’s inhumanity toward each other and the need to start fresh. The book would benefit from a good content editor to help it focus better on how to show more in its characters and tell less. I struggled through it because I believed it would improve. It did not. The author has great story ideas but needs to get a better team of people involved in creating a tighter story next time.
It is a story about survival against aliens on Mars. A conflict of faith in a dark moment in human history. my negative was the pentagram and the story of how it's powerful. Which the main character carries with her, but claims it has no religious connection. Other than that, it's a story that is expected to go the way it does. Could use better editing because, at times, it got confusing.
Intergalactic horror story that imagines a devastation wiping out the inhabitants of earth and the survivors who fight to save civilization. Action packed, its gloomy premise still provides the climax that leaves the reader rooting for the crew destined to revitalize earth in the aftermath. Frightening, but exciting.
I liked the basic storyline, but I didn't feel connected with the characters. I've always loved stories where I felt immersed enough to imagine myself as one of the characters, and this one just didn't do it for me.
This book is full of action and will keep you wondering what will happen next. A bit of science fiction will keep the story extra interesting as the plot unfolds. Well written.
intriguing. I went into it thinking I wouldn't like it and found it to be not bad. A lot of things going on but does tie together. received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review
With humankind looking to Mars as the next planet to conquer, this story could be a possibility – but hopefully without the carnage.
Since the beginning of time, mother earth has weathered its cycles. Multiple ice ages have increased the reach of the polar ice caps, followed by mass melting once the earth warmed again. Plummeting meteors have had a major impact on the earth resulting in mass extinctions. Yet, over time, mother earth has always found a way to heal. New life begins again.
The year is now 2060. Earth has been dying in a way we have never seen before. Radiation from the sun has become poisonous. Animals have begun to go extinct. Life on Earth is coming to an immediate end. Scientists are desperately searching for ways to remain prosperous. Religion begs to differ.
I am fascinated by the depth in which cosmic forces were explained. The power of the universe, as told by astrologists, play a real part in the life of one’s soul. Each planet emits a unique attribute into space. The purpose of a person’s life can be read in the alignment of these planets. A soul needs to complete its pilgrimage to become whole.
I will say the ending is bitter-sweet. After much soul-searching, the survivors had to collectively decide upon their future. Humankind wasn’t the only species needing assistance in repopulating. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to reading other work by Ms. Glan