Before Mars (novel)
Third Planetfall novel set on Mars during After Atlas timeline.
Before Mars is a 2018 science fiction novel by British author Emma Newman. It was first released as a paperback original in April 2018 by Ace Books in the United States and by Gollancz in the United Kingdom. An audiobook edition came out the same month from Tantor Audio in the US and Orion Publishing in the UK.
The novel is the third installment in Newman's four-book Planetfall series. Its story unfolds on Mars, running concurrently with the Earth-set events of the previous book, *After Atlas*. The protagonist is Dr. Anna Kubrin, a geologist and artist sent to the red planet to paint its landscapes. The book was a finalist for the 2018 BSFA Award for Best Novel.
In interviews, Newman described *Before Mars* as a "psychological thriller." She aimed to explore how people process memory, how memory shapes perceptions of reality, and its connection to mental illness. She also examined a future where individuals can record and replay every sight, sound, and feeling through a "cam lens" and neural implants, questioning whether this capability alters how one processes reality and memory. Newman conducted extensive research on Mars, travel to it, geology, and survival challenges, though she allowed herself some flexibility with spacecraft technology since the story is set roughly 80 years in the future. The gov-corps featured in her Planetfall books—where massive corporations control governments and monitor citizens via neural implants—are, she noted, a plausible outcome if current political structures and ideologies remain unchanged.
Reviews were mixed but largely positive. Megan Crouse at *Den of Geek* called it a thrilling science fiction mystery, societal critique, and character study, praising Newman's careful treatment of Anna and the effective use of flashbacks to build suspense. The first-person perspective creates claustrophobia and anxiety, and Anna's difficult marriage is handled sensitively, reminiscent of the marriage of convenience in Sheri S. Tepper's *Grass*. However, Crouse felt that not all issues raised were fully addressed and that the ending "slumps." Adrienne Martini in *Locus* noted that Newman builds on her corporation-controlled, chip-monitored universe, and while the narrative can feel unsettling and slightly removed, it still works.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Emma Newman
- Cover Artist
- Anxo Amarelle
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- Planetfall #3
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Publisher
- Ace Books
- Media Type
- Paperback original
- Pages
- 340 pp
- Isbn
- 9780399587320
- Dewey
- 823/.92—dc23
- Congress
- PR6114.E949B44 2018
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Before Mars concerns Dr. Anna Kubrin, a geologist and artist, who has been sent to Mars to paint Martian landscapes. In an interview with Space.com, Newman said she wanted the novel to be a psychological thriller addressing memory, how people process it, and how it affects perceptions of reality and mental illness. She also explored how future humans might react to recording and replaying every memory via a 'cam lens' and neural implants. In an interview with Syfy Wire, Newman described researching Mars travel, geology, and survival challenges, and noted that because the story is set about 80 years in the future, she had leeway with spacecraft technology. She also discussed the gov-corps in her Planetfall books, envisioning a future where corporations control governments and monitor citizens via neural implants, a prospect she called not far-fetched.
Reader's Guide
Before Mars received mixed to positive reviews. Megan Crouse at Den of Geek called it 'a thrilling science fiction mystery, a societal critique, and a character study,' praising the careful treatment of protagonist Anna Kubrin and the effective use of flashbacks, though she felt the ending 'slumps.' Adrienne Martini in Locus noted that Newman builds on her corporation-controlled universe and that the narrative can be unsettling, but found the backstory sometimes bogged the story down. Liz Bourke at Tor.com described the novel as 'a tight and claustrophobic psychological thriller' and noted that Anna feels trapped by society, marriage, and Mars itself, though Bourke lacked emotional investment. Swapna Krishna in the Los Angeles Times called the ending 'stunning' though 'a bit abrupt,' and praised Anna as a well-rounded character. A Financial Times reviewer called it 'a slow-burn psychological thriller' with a dark twist. Jeremy Brett in Foundation praised the emotional complexity and Newman's accurate depiction of human behavior. Publishers Weekly's Jennifer Udden called it 'a captivating puzzle of a tale' that concludes on a 'poignantly hopeful note.' The novel was a finalist for the 2018 BSFA Award for Best Novel.
Did You Know?
- Before Mars is the third book in Emma Newman's four-book Planetfall series.
- The novel takes place on Mars during the same period as the events on Earth in the previous book, After Atlas.
- Newman described Before Mars as a 'psychological thriller' addressing memory and mental illness.
More in Novels set in the future 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced