Emma Newman: Before Mars

Hi everyone

This is my second time reading the third book in the Planetfall series; Before Mars; written by Emma Newman. I read my own copy.
While I didn’t review it the first time, I’m excited to share my thoughts now!

"After months of travel, Anna Kubrin finally arrives on Mars for her new job as a geologist and de facto artist-in-residence. Already she feels like she is losing the connection with her husband and baby at home on Earth--and she'll be on Mars for over a year. Throwing herself into her work, she tries her best to fit in with the team.
But in her new room on the base, Anna finds a mysterious note written in her own handwriting, warning her not to trust the colony psychologist. A note she can't remember writing. She unpacks her wedding ring, only to find it has been replaced by a fake.
Finding a footprint in a place the colony AI claims has never been visited by humans, Anna begins to suspect that her assignment isn't as simple as she was led to believe. Is she caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy, or is she actually losing her mind? Regardless of what horrors she might discover, or what they might do to her sanity, Anna has find the truth before her own mind destroys her."

I loved this book just as much the second time around! Since I’d forgotten most of the details, I felt the suspense and tension just as strongly as I did the first time. 
Emma Newman’s writing style is so easy to read, and I love the worlds she creates. Her characters feel like real people; distinct, flawed, and deeply human. The plot is gripping, and I found myself eager to keep reading, unable to put it down.

One of the things I appreciate most about Newman’s writing is how she explores mental illness and trauma in her characters. She handles these themes with sensitivity and depth, making Anna’s struggles feel raw and authentic. It’s not just about the mystery or the sci-fi setting; it’s also about how the mind can betray us, and how we fight to hold onto reality when everything feels uncertain.

If you love sci-fi with psychological depth, suspense, and rich character development, Before Mars is highly recommended! It’s a thought-provoking, atmospheric read that stays with you long after you finish. 

Have you read Before Mars or any of the Planetfall series? Did you love it as much as I did? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading.
Helena