Menace Under Marswood

by Sterling E. Lanier

Mars in the 23rd century has been terraformed, and is being settled by Earth colonists. The outcast "Ruckers"---former settlers who have revolted--are opposing this immigration.

Marswood is set in a near future where Earth has colonized Mars and the United Nations is serving as the Solar System’s supra-government. Slater is a UN peace forces soldier who gets assigned on a secret mission deep into the Martian wilderness, in a combination manhunt for a dangerous criminal mastermind and investigation into hints that Earthmen may not be alone on Mars.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 12, 1983

About the author

Sterling Edmund Lanier was an American editor, science fiction author and sculptor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterlin...

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like Lanier's Menace Under Marswood quite as much as his Hiero books, but it's a very good planetary travelogue. His Mars is nearly as nuanced and well-developed as the three B's, Burroughs, Brackett, and Bradbury. The plot gets a little too dense with military involvement and a police chase, but it's a fun, leisurely read, despite being a fast-paced adventure.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sterling Lanier's one-off vision of a terraformed Mars, frothing over with mutated plants and animals and underlaid by the mysterious promise/threat of the presence of the "Old Martians" of legend. Akin to Burrough's Mars and Venus series, but the technical, flora, and fauna details are far superior (and more likely). I love the depth of different cultures he invents and explores here, as well. Makes me wish he'd written more than just this book about his version of future Mars.

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mars in the 23rd century has been terraformed, and is being settled by Earth colonists. The outcast "Ruckers"---former settlers who have revolted--are oppsing this immigration.

When a new menace appears, the Terran soldiers guarding Mars, must join forces with their Ruckers enemies to prevent a crisis which will overwhelm the planet....

Okay, there's the plot. Basically, this novel reminds me of Edgar Rice Burroughs, modernized. Sterling Lanier, the author, however, has studied anthropology so his description of the Rucker subculture is particulary well done.

It is a quick moving adventure, and well done for that type of work. It is not going to be HUgo nominee--but not a waste of time eaither.

Recommended for any sf fan who likes a good adventure story.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining trek through the forest, Menace Under Marswood unfortunately lacks a great deal of tension. That’s not to say the book isn’t a decent sci-fi story, it’s just Mars feels a whole lot like Earth.

While this book was easy to read and easy to follow, I never really was pulled into the worldbuilding or the plot. We have a terra-formed Mars that is just a huge forest. There are some old structures that raise some interesting questions, but overall it’s a lot of wandering in the woods followed by a very rushed conclusion.

Part of the problem is that the characters are extremely flat. The main character, a person of color named Mohammed Slater, was unique only in that he wasn’t the standard white dude most commonly found in the genre. He had virtually no backstory and his insta-love with Donna, one of two female characters, leaves much to be desired in terms of sexual tension and even romance. The other characters, Donna included, are uninteresting and flat as cardboard. Even the villain is flat, as he’s on the page for all of ten pages. This story could have been a really fun military sci-fi romp, but it’s a lot of plodding through the wilderness.

Now, it does move at a fast clip and there are some interesting concepts in it, including a rather unique idea regarding Mars colonization, but, overall, it’s a little slow and easily forgettable.

I will say though, the overuse of the word “Suddenly” in this book drove me through the rucking roof.
But the little crab-like creature named Grabbit was so cute I'm willing to overlook that.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lanier's Hiero books are fantastic, and this looks to be about on par with those, though more sci-fi/planetary romance than post-apocalypse. Lanier's future Mars is a dangerous place (something like the late Earth of Brian Aldiss' Hothouse) where the plants have taken over and it's no easy thing to survive. Lanier was obviously interested in colonialization--Mars is not unlike the American West, with tribes of True People, frontier forts, colonials from all over Earth trying to survive in a hostile environment (while also making that environment hostile by their presence). Interested to see how it all pans out.

[Mike Pollack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d actually give this 2.5-3 stars, stumbled upon it in a neighborhood ‘little free library’; I think the general concept was interesting about populating and terraforming Mars and a hidden ancient/lost alien life form but wasn’t as engrossing as it was for others. Okay, don’t think I would pick it up to reread.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Cold War-era sci-fi, leaning heavily on military solutions for political problems. Set on a terraformed but still untamed Mars, it follows soldiers and outcasts clashing over control, while an alien threat looms.

Alas, even centuries in the future, humanity hasn’t learned much..

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as his Hiero stories but enjoyable.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a chore to read. No book of 213 pages should take me 2 months (almost to the day) to read!
I eventually finally 'gave up' on it to become bathroom and waiting room fodder!

[Tom Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much, and I got it. Hiero's Journey is one of my treasured reads. I just adore the book. I knew that being peak Lanier, there was no way it could match up. I found it to be a bit of a slog.

Fairly old school story of conflict on the Red Planet. Seems out of step for the time of its publication. Lanier did so much beyond writing fiction that I doubt he worried much about the success of the book. His legacy, merely by being the guy to get Dune published, was already assured.

Still, if you like John Carter-like tales of action and "romance," you'll probably dig it.

[Sir Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

There on mars and it's like Australia. In the outback. They are after the first e bandits. On a mars that is being transformed. As they journey out the bio dome. There's a shoot out with police and police die.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️, It's a standalone book, military action adventure on Mars. I would have given 4 stars if this was the first book in a series

1⭐️ DNF or Forced myself to Finish
2⭐️ It's Just a book
3⭐️ A Good Book
4⭐️ On My Reread List
5⭐️ god mode

[Rodney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers that this book is not as good as the Hiero books by Sterling Lanier. But I did enjoy this book about a small group of warriors on an expedition to discover the dangers of a “danger zone”.

[Sappho Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written for young adults, this story is enjoyable for adults.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding classic Science Fiction!

[James]

Product Details Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Del Rey; First Edition edition (September 12, 1983) Language: English

[Paul P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so imaginative and certainly not stirring. Well-structured, with various pieces tied together with the ending.