The Saint of Mars

Denver Moon #2

by Joshua Viola, Warren Hammond

Six months have passed since Denver Moon, P.I., smashed The Minds of Mars into the red planet, destroying the ship’s horrific cargo and delaying the alien danger of human mind control. Now, in the dark underbelly of Mars City, Denver and her faithful AI-installed pistol, Smith, are hot on the trail of a suspect they believe is responsible for the disappearance of numerous citizens in Red Tunnel.

But as they close in on the culprit, they uncover an even greater threat. An android revolution is stirring within the ranks of the Church of Mars, and its leader is an old enemy who aims to settle scores and shatter the fragile balance of power on Mars.

Genres: Science Fiction

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Joshua Viola is a two-time Colorado Book Award finalist and co-author of the Denver Moon series. His comic book collection, Denver Moon: Metamorphosis, was included on the 2018 Bram Stoker Award Preliminary Ballot for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel. He edited the Denver Post bestselling anthology, Nightmares Unhinged, and co-edited Cyber World—named one of the best science fiction anthologies of 2016 by Barnes & Noble. His fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and has been reprinted by Tor.com. He is owner and chief editor of Hex Publishers.

Reviews

[Timothy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid follow-up to the first Denver Moon story. The story is probably the best mashup of sci-fi and noir ever. In places it is so hardboiled it hurts. Denver can hold her own with Mike Hammer any day of the week. Get both of these books now and read them quick.

[Brian Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. Excellent follow up- Relax everyone, you have to believe this because the narrator was in the room when it all happened! Through all the unexpected twists and chicanes of this tale, Denver doesn’t let this trail go cold. This ticks all the boxes for me. She knows there is a story about her because she tells it and chooses what we need to know (and yes, she makes decisions she regrets- and doesn’t hold back from admitting it). How many third person narrators are ever this humble? Eh? Lastly, the narrator certainly has ‘skin in the game’- in fact Denver’s life is on the line soon enough- literally so. Ouch! Mars appears to be in good hands.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty rad continuing story of Denver Moon and her life on Mars. I like the SF detective plot and how Denver is the offspring (granddaughter) of the founder of Mars, but doesn’t use that to her advantage. It adds a special layer of mystery to her and her motives. I like that I got to meet the authors of this book and they’re local. It’s all good.

[Mackay]

Read as judge for the Colorado Book Awards.

[Michael Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

More about the noir detective on Mars. This wraps up many loose ends from the first book, though I gather there is another book in the series, so it isn't an end.

[Laura Steinert · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an absolute shame that more people are not reading this amazing series. Denver lives on the poverty, on the edge of the law, and by the skin of her teeth (pardon the cliche). Action packed, but the authors take time to create a vivid picture of the slowly transforming Mars, the social hierarchy that provide the scraps to most people while a tiny few live in luxury. The synthetic humans called botsie are the slaves and sex workers--and often seem more human than the humans. Wonderful for older teens through the 70-year-olds who like adventure, skullduggery, and a nearly superhuman lead character.
I read the book and the graphic book--both are wonderful.

[Kristjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: ****
Performance: ****

SF Noir/Mystery done right

Solid Narration by two voices that was a lot of fun. Set on Mars, the last refuge humanity and in the hands of the terraforming efforts of indifferent aliens bent on mind control. A society with an oppressed android population just waiting to rebel (an obvious riff from Blade Runner). An authoritarian church in the middle of a power drama. Denver is a PI one the outside looking in and barely making it following the tragic events detailed in the first book (recommend reading that first) when she takes a case to infiltrate the rebel cause with the head of her android friend Nigel and her AI enhanced handgun. There is plenty of action and betrayal in this classic mystery drama about the first living saint of mars.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#TheSaintOfMars #DenverMoon #FreeAudiobookCodes

[Kevin Thomas James Atteridg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling quick-fire Mars-noir adventure with Denver Moon.