Rogue Planet

Mars Wars #2

by John Andrew Karr

The make Mars inhabitable for humans with a thermonuclear reawakening. But for the adventurous remnants of the Space Consortium of America, the biggest threat isn’t from the erupting rage of the Red Planet. It’s from a treacherous blue marble called Earth . . . Rogue Planet You’d think Captain Ry Devans was a hero when he jumpstarted the cores of Mars, giving the previously dormant planet a fresh start at harboring life. But he’s also the host of a life-saving alien microbe, and the most wanted man within thirty-three million miles—courtesy of the terrorist global juggernaut the Earth First Faction, and its sociopathic agent Paton Schiflet. They’re doing everything in their power to quash the organized inhabitation of space and keep the last humans under control. Now that the EFF has dispatched its own insanely weaponized crew, Devans and his dirty-dozen team have three fight, surrender, or witness the extinction of the thousands of civilians repopulating space. For Devans and outlaw partner Dr. Karen Wagner, option number one is is the only way to go—but the odds against them are astronomical. Not only are moles undermining every offensive tactic, but some on MOS-1 are exhibiting dangerously psychotic mood swings. Is it just an extreme case of space crazy? Or a new microbial gift from Mars that could kill their mission before the war with EFF even begins? “Interesting and intelligent.” —Dave Drake on Detonation Event

289 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2020

About the author

John Andrew Karr (also John A. Karr) writes of the strange and spectacular. He is the author of a handful of independent and small press novels and novellas, including the Mars Wars science fiction series via Kensington Books’ Rebel Base imprint. Short stories have appeared in New Reader Magazine, Flame Tree Publishing, Danse Macabre, Allegory and others.

He’s a North Carolina resident, IT worker, and all-around family guy. He is also an ardent believer in the quote from Carl van Doren (1885-1950), U.S. man of letters: Yes, it's hard to write, but it's harder not to.

www.johnandrewkarr.com

Reviews

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author John Andrew Karr (https://johnandrewkarr.com) published the novel “Rogue Planet” in 2020. He has published three novels and this is the second in his “Mars Wars” series.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of violence. The story is set a little more than 200 years in the future. Humans have ventured into space and have begun to colonize Mars. The Earth First Foundation (EFF) is opposed to any ventures into space. They have taken control of the Earth and want all humans on Earth and under their control.

Captain Ry Devans and Dr. Karen Wagner are on MOS-1 in orbit around Mars. As the result of the nuclear detonations carried out by Devans (book #1), Mars is changing. The volcanic activity is taking the planet closer to being livable. The EFF is willing to go to any lengths to force humans from space. A Mars virus already threatened humanity only to be saved by another. Some onboard MOS-1 are exhibiting serious mood swings. This may be the sign of some new and dangerous Mars organism.

Of course, not all on Earth are following the EFF line. There is a resistance. Devans and his team are working with those against the EFF. He makes a clandestine trip to Earth to trade with the resistance for critical supplies.

EFF agent Paton Schiflet is one of those who is doing everything he can to quash the human presence on Mars. After Devans' mission to Earth Schiflet is assigned to MOS-2 and ordered to Mars. His mission is to capture or destroy those who have evaded the EFF.

I enjoyed the 10 hours I spent reading this 309-page science fiction novel. I liked the overall story. That said, some of the dialogs just don’t fit into what I think professionals would say. Devans and Wagner are leading a band of humans fighting for their survival yet Devans sometimes come across more like a college frat boy. While this novel can be read stand-alone, it would be best to begin with the first novel in the series. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

After having read Detonation Event, I had been looking forward to reading this. Overall, I am of the opinion that it didn't live up to the story telling of book 1.

I was not disappointed with the book but it wasn't all that I hoped it would be. Additionally, the version I had was full of formatting issues that made physically reading it difficult at times. I am sure the final released version will not have that problem.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, engrossing and entertaining space opera. I liked the well written cast of characters, the world building, and the interesting cast of characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book description calls this interesting and intelligent, and that is pretty apt. It's a pretty solid space opera with the appropriate amount of action, and it has a good story even though all of the science isn't perfect. The characters are well drawn, and it includes some good surprises. Recommended for opera fans.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rogue Planet picks up where Detonation Event leaves off.

Ry Devens, Dr. Karen Wagner and his crew/family are continuing to try to make Mars habitable for humans. The Earth First Faction (EFF) are fighting them every step of the way. To add to the fun, some people on the MOS-1 station are going a bit crazy.

EFF agent Paton Schiflet is on the hunt for Devens and his crew and he has sent a group of armed men after them. Devens and his crew must try to keep ahead of the EFF Team and fight for their lives when cornered.

While I enjoyed the first book in the series more than this one, I like this one too. I do think a little less "Space Bro" and "Space Sis" would help. If you like Space Opera, give this series a try!

[Anne Szlachcic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes up where Detonation Planet leaves off and whilst it can be read as a standalone I recommend reading the previous book to set the characters in place .

Captain Ry Devans and his crew/family's mission to make Mars habitable to humanity continues - there is just one major problem ,he is the host of a life-saving alien microbe, and the most wanted man in the world and space .
The EFF , Earth First Faction , are determined to ensure that the Mars mission fails - there aim is to keep the last humans under their control . With this in mind they send a weaponised crew to Mars to halt Ry and his family's mission at all costs .

This is an entertaining space opera , full of twists and turns , plenty of action and interesting characters - I look forward to reading more from the Author in the future .

I was given an arc of the book by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review .

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Although I had not read the previous book in the series, once I had figured out the characters I did enjoy this.

This was an exciting Space Opera, which did seem to jump about, leaving me confused.

It certainly improved nearer the end.

Unfortunately the copy I had was poorly edited, which made reading it at times very difficult.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing and entertaining space opera. It contains the style of mid-century science fiction; it far greater than any pulp fiction. From the highly visual scenes to the easily win characters, the story combines all the great elements of any sci-fi but could easily stand alone.

[Mattaniah Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as strong as the first, a lot of repeated story beats, unnecessary last minute complications, annoying banter especially between the sibling set, and overall downgrade from the first book but still a decent read

[Wilma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from The Portalist, a division of Kensington Publishing Corp. It is a follow-up to the first book Mars Wars: Detonation Event. The story continues with Ry Devens (the most wanted man in the Universe) and his companion Dr. Karen Wagner along with others fighting to make Mars habitable for humans. But the Earth First Faction (EFF) led by insane agent Paton Schilfet is trying desperately to hunt them down and kill them. To add to the problems there are moles undermining Devens and his team attempts to get Mars ready for humanity. My only critique would be the dialogue sometimes got a little juvenile. Calling each other 'Spaceman' and 'Danger Boy' and 'Bro' got a little tiresome for me. However, all in all I enjoyed the book.